At a Greenwich forum last week, Connecticut Attorney General (AG) William Tong offered a sobering reminder: The final two years of Trump’s term will be destructive, calculated to break as many vital protections as possible on his way out.
This November’s election isn’t just about rejecting MAGA overreach — it’s about sending champions to Hartford who understand the state is a firewall against federal interference in state affairs and personal rights.
Local Republicans claim to be independent moderates. But their records reveal Joe Kelly, Tina Courpas, and Mike Mason all falling in line with the Trump agenda.
36th Senate District: Jill Oberlander vs. Joe Kelly
Republican candidate Joe Kelly, who has boasted he’s never voted for a Democrat, was a featured speaker at a recent, right-wing Turning Point USA rally in town. His party, including Senator Ryan Fazio and Rep. Tina Courpas, repeatedly voted “no” on Connecticut bills to protect reproductive rights, gun safety, public health, voting access, and local project funding. That record matters because Kelly has promised that, if elected, he intends to follow in Fazio’s footsteps in Hartford.
Democratic candidate Jill Oberlander offers a stark contrast: She has a record of proven, effective leadership as the first Democratic chair of the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) and as a member of the Board of Selectmen. Oberlander is a centrist voice who does her homework, knows the facts, and will stand up for Greenwich’s values and priorities.
149th State House District: Amiel Goldberg vs. Tina Courpas
Incumbent Tina Courpas’ votes reveal a clear pattern. Whenever the state passed bills to shield residents from Trump administration actions — including emergency funding to protect residents from Trump’s reckless safety net cuts, reproductive rights, voting rights, gun safety, AI regulation, and vaccine protection, despite vaccinating her own children — Tina Courpas voted “no.”
Courpas markets herself as a fiscal pragmatist, but her record tells a different story: While claiming state finances are “busted,” and that Democrats have “violated” fiscal guardrails, her official testimony praised Connecticut’s $4.1 billion reserve fund, noting the success of the $8.7 billion pension debt paydown. It’s duplicitous for Courpas to celebrate six credit rating upgrades while also claiming state finances are in ruin.
Democratic candidate Amiel Goldberg brings transparency, fiscal experience, and respect for scientific integrity along with straightforward common sense solutions to issues facing the district. An accomplished legislator who has served for two terms on the Stamford Board of Representatives, Goldberg knows what is required to be an effective state representative.
151st State House District: Hector Arzeno vs. Mike Mason
Unlike those who mask their record, Mike Mason is Greenwich’s original MAGA champion. An early Trump supporter friendly with the Trump family, Mason hosted a Trump rally and has proudly displayed his red MAGA hat.
His predictions of unparalleled Trumpian success failed to materialize, yet he remains deeply tied to the local Republican machine, relying on a municipal patronage job delivered by Republican First Selectman Fred Camillo.
In stark contrast, Democratic incumbent Hector Arzeno—alongside Steve Meskers — has delivered results: securing millions for Central Middle School, Old Greenwich School, town infrastructure upgrades, and environmental protections.
Your vote decides our future
These Republican candidates want you to believe they are moderates. Instead, judge them on what they’ve done, including voting “no” on issues overwhelmingly supported by Greenwich residents.
And believe AG William Tong when he warns us of the dangers ahead.
Greenwich voters deserve representatives like Jill Oberlander, Amiel Goldberg, Hector Arzeno, and Steve Meskers — leaders who show up, do the work, tell the truth, and bring home the bacon. And who will stand firm against MAGA overreach.
What we’re reading
This week we have three articles highlighting the impact of Washington on our lives here in Greenwich:
- Congress may further slash the budget for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), on which low-income people rely for better access to healthy, fresh food. In Connecticut, 16% of our neighbors battle hunger every day. This editorial explains the impact.
- And hunger exists right here in Greenwich, one of the wealthiest communities in the country, as detailed in this second article.
- For years we have heard lies and mistruths coming out of Washington claiming voter fraud is rampant. This editorial champions the work of Greenwich voter registrars Mary Hegarty and Fred DeCaro III. The unrecognized work they do ensures the integrity of our election process.
Action Calendar
October 16. Converse.
Have a coffee and a conversation with fellow residents and Selectwoman Rachel Khanna about your town concerns, 1 p.m., at Coffee for Good, 48 Maple Ave.
October 17. Rally.
No Kings and Indivisible bring our community together to make a plan to vote early, while ensuring eligible voters understand their options and make their voices heard. 2-2:45 p.m., in front of the Havemeyer Building, 290 Greenwich Ave. Info.
October 19. Debate.
Attend or stream the 4th Congressional District Debatefeaturing incumbent and Greenwich resident Jim Himes, 7 p.m., Westport Public Library, 20 Jessup Road, Westport. Register.
October 20. Help us win.
Volunteers needed, no experience necessary. Join us in our campaign headquarters to help elect our Democratic team. Make calls, knock doors, write postcards and more. Click here to RSVP. Same time and the same place every Tuesday: 4-7 p.m. at Campaign Headquarters, Venture X, 200 Pemberwick Road, 2nd Floor, Room 229.
October 21. Join us.
Greenwich Democratic Town Committee regular meeting, 7:30-9 p.m. Greenwich Town Hall Cone Room, 101 Field Point Road.
October 22. Be aware.
Board of Selectmen meetings offer residents a firsthand look at the issues before the town. Attend in person or watch on Zoom to see your local government in action. 10:30 a.m., Town Hall Cone Room, 101 Field Point Road.
| Volume 5, Number 16 • October 15, 2026 |
| Paid for by the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee. |
| Greenwich Democratic Town Committee P.O. Box 126 Greenwich, CT 06836 |