(Left to right) Garry Farrar, Jr. and Joseph Jeanette, Jr. (Photos from Facebook)
ANSONIA – The only Democrat on the Ansonia Board of Aldermen switched parties this week, along with his nephew, the former chairman of the city’s Democratic Party.
Third Ward Alderman Joseph Jeanette, Jr. is now a Republican, as is Garry Farrar, Jr.
Both men said Thursday they disagreed with the direction of the Ansonia Democratic Town Committee, and endorsed Mayor David Cassetti’s leadership in the city.
“Mayor Cassetti and the Aldermen are on a good course right now. My voting records show I support most of the mayor’s policies, and I work well with this administration,” Jeanette said.
Jeanette won re-election as a Democrat in November – but said he had been thinking about switching to the Republican Party for a long time.
His switch gives the Republicans a 14 – 0 advantage on the Board of Aldermen, along with control of the mayor’s office. (Note: one Alderwomen is unaffiliated, but ran on the Republican line with Team Cassetti).
“I hope when people look at me, they look at me as the person, the husband, the father, the grandfather, not as a Republican or a Democrat. The mayor and his administration don’t care what party you belong to, they just want what’s best for the people and the city, and that’s how I roll,” Jeanette said.
Farrar, chairman of the Ansonia Democratic Town Committee until earlier this month, said he left the Democrats because of infighting between new and old members.
“The bullying, general disregard for order, the forceful pushing out of long-standing members who are the foundation of the DTC, the power grab by state elected officials within both Ansonia and Derby DTCs and the loss of direction are all factors that contributed to this decision,” Farrar said in an email.
However, Democrats said no one was pushed out or forced out from the party. Party members had lost faith in Farrar’s leadership, as demonstrated by the fact he was not re-elected to the Democratic Town Committee on Jan. 4, they said. On that same day, Jeanette had sought out and was successfully elected by Democrats to serve on the town committee again.
John Feddern, a member of the Ansonia Democratic Town Committee, said in an email that he was disappointed, but not surprised by the departures.
“They are well within their rights to switch parties if they feel their beliefs and interests are better served with the (Ansonia Republican Town Committee). I wish them both the best.”
Regarding allegations of bullying, Feddern said this:
“I’ve only been a member of the (Ansonia Democratic Town Committee) for nine months, but from what I have seen, there hasn’t been bullying so much as there has been dissension between members regarding the direction of the party and campaign tactics,” Feddern said. “This is normal in every town, state and national political committee. The objective going forward is for the ADTC to work as a more cohesive unit – with cohesive messaging – toward our common goals and the goals of the people of Ansonia.”
“Team Cassetti” Republicans dominated the November election, during which the Democrats did not run an opponent against Cassetti. Immediately after the election, The Valley Indy interviewed Democrats who were disappointed with Farrar’s leadership of the party during the campaign.
With Farrar’s departure, Brian Perkins, formerly the Democrats’ vice-chairman, is now the interim chairman. He said there has been an influx of new Democrats into the party and denied that people are being forced out.
“Honestly, what has occurred is not uncommon during transitions, and I believe the ADTC will be stronger as a result. New energy has been infused after eight to ten years of electoral losses on the local level,” Perkins said. “It’s an exciting time to be a Democrat in Ansonia and join the town committee, and we look forward to welcoming more new members’ thoughts and ideas over the coming months and years.”
Mayor Cassetti said Farrar and Jeanette have dedicated their lives to city service, with both serving as volunteer firefighters, and Jeanette serving two years on the Ansonia Board of Education.
“These are two people that have made it clear that public service matters, and both have put in the work that’s been good for the city, and it doesn’t matter which party they affiliate with,” Cassetti said.
Cassetti said he wasn’t surprised Farrar and Jeanette made the switch because the Ansonia Democrats are a struggling party.
“They threw out the old timers and they alienated everyone. Yes, this is good for us. Both Gary and Joe are very knowledgeable, and I’m looking forward to working with them,” Cassetti said.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the succession process within the Ansonia Town Democratic Committee.
