To My Fellow DTC Chairs
Dear Fellow Democratic Town Committee Chairs,
We write to you today as chairs and grassroots organizers who understand firsthand that progressive Democratic values mean nothing if we are not actively winning elections and translating our principles into daily municipal policy.
Throughout Connecticut, our municipalities are the true laboratories of democracy. When we elect dedicated Democrats to City Councils, Boards of Education, Zoning Commissions, and Mayoral offices, we safeguard the public schools our children attend, maintain fiscal integrity through prudent budgeting, protect our vulnerable immigrant neighbors, and build an economy that lifts everyone up.
Strengthening Grassroots Field Operations
Over the past four years, the Danbury Democratic Town Committee has focused relentlessly on year-round community engagement:
- Precinct-Level Accountability: Expanding active participation across all seven of our city wards, ensuring each neighborhood has dedicated ward representatives who knock doors and listen to constituent concerns year-round.
- Inclusive Candidate Recruitment: Recruiting diverse civic leaders—from experienced educators and small business owners to youth activists and civil service professionals—who reflect the vibrant mosaic of Danbury.
- Voter Base Expansion: Relentless voter registration drives targeting newly eligible young voters, recently relocated families, and newly naturalized citizens.
Protecting Our Shared Values
As national politics grows increasingly turbulent, local governance serves as the frontline shield for our residents. In Danbury, our Democratic administration under Mayor Roberto Alves has demonstrated what pragmatic, common-sense leadership achieves: historic infrastructure investments, school modernization, preservation of our city’s AA+ bond rating, and rigorous defense of the Connecticut Trust Act.
We invite every DTC chair across our state to collaborate with us. Let us share voter turnout strategies, candidate development resources, and policy playbooks. Democracy is not a spectator sport—it is built from the ground up, one precinct at a time.
In solidarity,
Larry Riefberg
Chair, Danbury Democratic Town Committee