On Thursday members of the Ansonia Town Democratic Committee enthusiastically nominated Tripp to challenge Cassetti.
Tripp, who served 34 years in the Army National Guard before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, vowed to get the city’s boards and commissions to work together.
The last few years have seen a bitter divide between “Team Cassetti” Republicans and the Ansonia Public Schools. The city’s board of education took the city to court for taking away money in 2018.
Tripp said he would strike a different tone.
“It is my feeling that Ansonia needs a steady hand and a leader who will foster transparency and run an inclusive local government,” he said during his acceptance speech.
“I value fiscal accountability and will ensure your tax dollars are securely and thoughtfully managed,” he added. “My focus will be to lead collaboratively, getting our boards and commissions working together positively and productively and building a prosperous city for all Ansonia residents.”
Tripp’s nomination by the Democratic Party is a living example of the old saying “politics makes strange bedfellows.”
On national issues, Tripp is far from the Democratic Party.
He is an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump and his policies. In 2016 he went off on a college student protester at a Trump rally, calling the man’s interpretation of a campaign issue at the time “liberal bull****,” according to a video posted on Facebook.
After Tripp was nominated, Mayor Cassetti issued a statement mentioning the Trump connection.
“It is surprising — Phil is a huge Trump fan, always supported small government, but now he is running on a platform of big spending and big government. I wish him well and welcome a discussion on the issues!” Cassetti said in an email.
Tripp, 61, became a vocal Cassetti critic in the years since that Trump campaign rally.
Photo By Bill Bittar
Phil Tripp, center, is surrounded by supporters after being nominated by the Ansonia Democrats Thursday at the senior center.
He hit “Team Cassetti” especially hard on funding Ansonia schools. Tripp has said he opposed taking $600,000 from the school district in January 2018, saying doing so violated state education law.
The candidate said he recently became a Democrat..
“It’s about serving the city of Ansonia and it’s about putting Ansonia ahead of politics,” he said.
“Being a Democrat is the best way for me to serve the city of Ansonia.”
Asked about his party supporting a pro-Trump candidate, Democratic Town Committee Chairman Tarek Raslan said Tripp’s party switch is “it’s just another example of how Phil puts Ansonia first. His dedication to Ansonia, that’s what’s always driven him.”
Tripp holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of New Haven and a master’s degree in business administration from Southern Connecticut State University.
Tripp, a father of five, is an Ansonia resident of 15 years. He and Roberta, his wife of 11 years, live on Eagle Street.
Tripp has been an Alderman since 2011, serving as board president for four years, and he served four years on the Ansonia Fire Commission, two as president.
While in the Connecticut Army National Guard he was deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Rounding out the rest of the Democratic slate (article continues after the list):
Aldermen:
1st Ward: Gary Farrar Jr. and Nina Phipps
2nd Ward: Tarek Raslan and William Phipps
3rd Ward: Leslie Navarrete and Joseph Jeanette Jr.
4th Ward: Diane Stroman and Rohan Brown
5th Ward: Sennea Raslan and Millie Rios
6th Ward: Thomas Finnucan and Valerie Sorrentino
7th Ward: Steve Erlingheuser and Paul Lucuk
Board of Education: Fran DiGiorgi and Chris Phipps
Town Clerk: Beth Lynch
City Treasurer: Gary Farrar
Sheriffs: Sean Rowley and James Malloy
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Edith Behrle, a DTC member who served on the Board of Alderman in the 1980s, congratulated the candidates on their nominations, but told them not to take it for granted. Behrle said they have to work hard by going out and knocking on people’s doors.
“Like it or not, our mayor is well liked,” she said.
“I feel extremely good,” Raslan said of his party’s candidates. “This is a slate that demographically represents this community. Our mayoral candidate is completely dedicated to the residents of Ansonia and has years of service to the city and our country.”
Raslan said this election is about change. “I think the city wants to see a government that’s more engaged with the community, transparency and real economic growth,” he said.
