Dan Foley, the retired school teacher trying to secure the Democratic nomination for mayor, released the list of people who are advising him as he again tries to challenge incumbent Republican Mayor Anthony Staffieri.
Foley lost to Staffieri in 2009.
Mike McFarland is Foley’s campaign manager, according to a statement that went out Sunday.
McFarland served as campaign manager twice for former Derby mayor, the late Richard Grande.
McFarland was active on the Democratic Town Committee from 1972 to 1992. He’s returning specifically to help Foley.
Linda Fusco, a former Alderwoman and veteran Democrat, is returning as Foley’s campaign treasurer.
Rob Hyder, a member of the Derby Ethics Board, is serving as Foley’s publicist.
Foley’s wife, Maureen, will be in charge of raising money for the Foley campaign with Sandy Watson, another active Democrat.
Staffieri was able to raise much more money than Foley during his 2009 re-election campaign.
Ken Hughes, a Republican and the president of the Board of Aldermen, said Foley’s collected a solid set of advisers.
“I know each and every person on Mr Foley’s team, and wish them the best of luck in their run for mayor,” Hughes said.
Mark Searles is also trying to secure the Democratic nomination for mayor. A nominating convention for the local parties is usually held in the summer.
First…Why is Ken Hughes wishing Dan LUCK ? Sounds like Dan and Ken are in the same corner….The last time I checked Ken was REPUBLICAN…I smell something FISHY…Come clean Dan, Tell us what’s going on here. Second.. Just to clear the air, Mr McFarland has been involved for over a year now, He did’t return to “specifically help Foley”..WOW, what a web you weave DAN..
Eugene here — ‘specifically to help Foley’ was the reporter’s assumption. Shouldn’t have been printed without verification. Apologies for that . ..
I’m looking forward to Searles introducing his team. From what I hear, he’s already on his second campaign manager. Heard Danny Sexton is running his campaign now, along with Tommy Lionetti as Sexton’s co-pilot. That’s in interesting combination, to say the least.
Foley is a genius for getting McFarland on his team.
Hopeful in Derby-Ken Hughes has nothing to do with Mr. Foley and his run for Mayor. The real issue here is that Mr. Hughes is finally seeing Mr. Staffieri’s true colors. What the Staffieri family has done to Ken Hughes brother was downright wrong. Do you blame Ken Hughes for wanting no part of Staffieri. Ken, Im a Democrat, but I must say, after what has been done to you and your family, I support you all the way in your feelings and your brother’s lawsuit against the Staffieri’s. Family is the most important thing in life. My heartfelt feelings are with you and your family.
FYI — I asked Ken Hughes for a comment about Foley’s camp because Hughes is a political player in town and a prominent member of the opposing party.