While Derby Republicans were touting the Democrats’ endorsement Tuesday of Keith McLiverty as tacit support of Republican Mayor Anthony Staffieri’s administration, Democratic leaders said the GOP needs a Derby history lesson.
City Democrats met Tuesday to vote on their slate of candidates for the fall election. They endorsed Dan Foley, Jr. to take on Staffieri. Click here to read the story.
Among the candidates endorsed by the Democrats — McLiverty, the city’s long-time treasurer.
The move came as a surprise to some because the Democrats have criticized some of the Staffieri administration’s fiscal policies, including the use and/or the amount of money in the city’s fund balance.
McLiverty is usually the person brought in to defend or provide an explanation.
In addition, McLiverty was endorsed by Republicans in 2009 and 2007. The Democrats ran unsuccessful candidates both times to unseat him.
The Republicans pounced on the McLiverty news, issuing a prepared statement Tuesday saying the endorsement leaves the Dems with nothing to campaign on.
“Experience matters and we are flattered the opposition is finally realizing the validity of the tough financial decisions made by this administration over the course of the last six years,” GOP chairman Tony Szewczyk said. “These decisions range the gamut from our financial settlement of the downtown lawsuit, to our ability to keep the mill rate in check, to the strength of our fund balance, all the way to the monies given to the Board of Education.”
“Our Treasurer was consulted on these decisions and by nominating Keith McLiverty as a shared candidate, the opposition doesn’t have much left to campaign on, but we wish them well,” Szewczyk concluded.
The mayor said the endorsement is a thumbs up for his team.
“I am pleased to hear that the Democrats will cross endorse our candidate. It shows that the Staffieri Team has been doing a great job for Derby,” Staffieri said.
However, Derby Democrats said if you have a guy in there who is doing a good job, you endorse that guy for the good of Derby.
“The cross endorsement is not about the Republicans. Tony is making it about him and not what’s best for the city,” Foley said in a prepared statement.
Mike McFarland, a veteran Derby politico who is serving as Foley’s campaign manager, said Tuesday the city treasurer’s position should be “apolitical.”
McLiverty is competent and is usually among the top vote-getters in Derby, McFarland said.
“Keith McLiverty is not a Republican. He’s an independent. He’s also been endorsed by previous Democratic administrations and he has served under Democratic administrations,” McFarland told his fellow Democrats Tuesday at the party’s caucus. “Remember that.”
A search of the Electronic Valley shows:
2011: McLiverty on Democratic and (presumably) Republican line
2009: McLivery on the Republican line, Dems ran a challenger
2007: McLiverty on the Republican line, Dems ran a challenger
2005: McLiverty on the Democratic line, GOP ran a challenger
2003: McLiverty on the Democratic line, GOP ran no one
2001: McLiverty on the Democratic line, GOP ran a candidate
1999: McLiverty on the Democratic line, GOP ran a candidate
Three of the 35 Derby Democrats in attendance Tuesday voted against the McLiverty endorsement, including Thomas Lionetti. No one offered any other names for the position.
An e‑mail seeking comment was sent to McLiverty late Tuesday night.
