Next-generation local Republican leaders see a future for their party — one that leaves Donald Trump, hard-right policies and last week’s Capitol violence in the rear-view mirror.
Don’t look for these young Republicans at ​“stop the steal” rallies at the state Capitol this coming week. Don’t look for them to defend the president’s actions. Don’t look for them to make excuses for the mob that invaded and trashed the Capitol, attacked cops, and went hunting to kill the vice-president and speaker of the House while seeking to stop the certification of the presidential election results.
But do look for them to stick with the Republican Party — and try to steer it back a bit toward the middle.
That was the upshot of a discussion with leaders of the New Haven County Young Republicans.
The leaders — Matt Schwartz, Kassie DeFala, Patrick Burland, and Rob Mullins — mixed outrage with optimism during the discussion, which took place Tuesday on an episode of WNHH FM’s ​“Dateline New Haven” program. (Watch the episode above.)