Republican George Temple announced Friday evening he has selected Jeffrey Haney, a local builder, to be his running mate as he seeks the nomination to run for First Selectman.
Haney, 54, owner of Jeff Haney & Son Builders LLC and active in local martial arts circles as a fifth degree master of Tang Soo Do, greeted about 60 guests at a fundraiser at Temple’s home on Jensen Farm Road.
“Jeff is exactly what the Town of Oxford needs. He is very giving of himself and has the energy and intelligence to help move us forward,” Temple told the crowd about Haney, who most recently switched parties from Democrat to unaffiliated in order to run with Temple for a Selectman’s seat.
Haney promised to work with Temple to bring the citizens of Oxford together.
Haney moved to Oxford in 1966 at age 10 and farmed with his family.
He is a 1976 graduate of Seymour High School.
His wife Heather is currently the assistant director of the Oxford Senior Center.
He opened karate schools in Oxford in 1992 and Shelton in 1994.
The Republicans will meet later this summer to caucus and nominate a slate of candidates.
David Yish, a Republican currently serving on the Board of Selectmen, has not said whether he will seek another term. He said Saturday morning he declined an offer from Temple to be running mate, without explaining to the Valley Indy why, and said he will make an announcement in a week or two regarding his intentions.
Temple announced Thursday Blake Denham will be managing the campaign.
Oxford Democrats will announce their First Selectman candidate Sunday.
Democrat Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers is not running for a third term in office.
NOTE: Information distributed by the campaign contained an error about Haney’s employment, which has since been corrected.
