Monica McNally, only recently made a new member of the Darien Board of Selectmen, has been nominated by the Republican Town Committee to replace the departing Jamie Stevenson as first selectman, the committee announced Friday morning.
On Wednesday night, the RTC met to consider and nominate a slate of candidates for town offices in this year’s elections. The town committee’s nominations can be challenged by petition, leading to a caucus or even a primary before this November’s election.
The RTC also nominated two new candidates for the Board of Selectman: current Board of Finance Chairman Jon Zagrodzky and Representative Town Meeting member Marcy Minnick, who also sits on the Republican Town Committee.
Most of the committee’s endorsements went to incumbents, but the RTC also endorsed John Wolcott (for Zagrodzky’s seat on the Board of Finance) and Tara Wurm for the Board of Education.
Here’s the rest of the Republican committee’s slate:
—Board of Finance: Rob Cardone (renominated), Paul Hendrickson (renominated), John Wolcott (newly nominated)
—Board of Education: David Brown (renominated), Tara Wurm (newly nominated)
—Planning & Zoning: Steve Olvaney (renominated), Jim Rand (renominated)
—Assessment Appeals: Chris Peters (renominated)
—Town Clerk: Christa McNamara (renominated)
—Town Treasurer: Joan Hendrickson (renominated)
—Tax Collector: Kathleen Larkins (renominated)
—Constables: Lou Calastro (renominated), Alan Hyatt (renominated).
On the RTM, McNally was chair of the Public Works and Rules committees and served at various times on the Technology, Health & Safety and Ethics committees, as well as the Planning, Zoning & Housing Committee.
While on the RTM, McNally shepherded the proposed town shopping bag ordinance into law.
Before she was an RTM member, McNally was the Darien YWCA Women’s Club president.
McNally lives on Arrowhead Way in the Tokeneke section of town with her husband, Mark Filanowski
Full text of the GOP announcement:
The Darien Republican Town Committee is tasked with recruiting and recommending registered Republican and unaffiliated candidates for elective or appointive offices on local boards and commissions, among other responsibilities. On Wednesday night, the RTC met for a special session to consider and nominate several candidates for office, including First Selectman.
The candidate nominations are as follows:
First Selectman: Monica McNally (Board of Selectmen)
Board of Selectmen: Jon Zagrodzky (chair, Board of Finance), Marcy Minnick (Representative Town Meeting, Republican Town Committee)
Board of Finance: Rob Cardone (renominated), Paul Hendrickson (renominated), John Wolcott (newly nominated)
Board of Education: David Brown (renominated), Tara Wurm (newly nominated)
Planning & Zoning: Steve Olvaney (renominated), Jim Rand (renominated)
Assessment Appeals: Chris Peters (renominated)
Town Clerk: Christa McNamara (renominated)
Town Treasurer: Joan Hendrickson (renominated)
Tax Collector: Kathleen Larkins (renominated)
Constables: Lou Calastro (renominated), Alan Hyatt (renominated).
Republican Town Committee Chairman, Alexander Davidson released the following quote, in response:
“Low taxes, excellent schools and high quality of life are not partisan issues. While Republican leadership has been, and will continue to be, critical in promoting and protecting these attributes for Darien residents, our town is at its best when we work together to get things done. Our slate of candidates, who will work to preserve local control, are a reflection of that spirit,” stated Davidson.
Town-wide elections will be held this Fall, in 123 days, on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. More information about the campaigns and candidates can be found via the Darien Republicans website in the coming weeks and months.