While coming in at third place in the three-way GOP primary on Tuesday, Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said “yes, absolutely” she is interested in other opportunities for public office.
Stevenson received 19.7 percent of the vote for lieutenant governor in the Republican primary. Joe Markley won the race, with 47.6 percent of the vote, and Erin Stewart coming in at 32.8 percent. Bob Stefanowski won the GOP primary vote for governor, with 29.4 percent of the vote.
“Sen. Joe Markley has declared his victory this evening …” Stevenson told a crowd of about 30 people at her campaign headquarters at 1076 Post Road, the small storefront space that formerly held the Spree store. When the Corbin-Post Road redevelopment takes place, the building is destined for destruction. Stevenson indicated her hopes for higher office aren’t.
“I am disappointed that we didn’t have more time,” she continued. “So I’m super proud of our effort, and I’m so, so honored for all of your support. […] Listen, when we leave here, chins up, because I’m so proud of the work that we did.”
She indicated that there was some some skepticism about her during the primary: “I’m the blonde lady from Darien, and what the hell am I going to do for the people of the state of Connecticut. And you all know what I can do for the people of the state of Connecticut […]”
After Stevenson spoke, a friend of hers, former Darienite Lulu McPhee, said: “I just want Jayme to hear this: This door wasn’t made the door for her to go through right now, but there’s a door for Jayme Stevenson —”
Stevenson interrupted: “Oh yes, absolutely.”
McPhee, now a Rowayton resident, continued: “— and see where this takes you. […] Thank you, because this is hard work, and you did it with all your heart.”
Stevenson said Connecticut needs Republican candidates for state offices to win in November “or we are in trouble. […] We’re looking at Ned Lamont, we’re looking at Susan Bysiewicz and we’re looking at four more years of regulation and tax-crushing policey on the state of Connecticut. We can’t bear it any more. […] The state needs Republicans.”
She praised Republicans and attacked some Democrats, in particular state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, who represents about half of Darien and all of Norwalk:
She said Marc D’Amelio of Norwalk, Duff’s Republican challenger in November, would make a better senator. “The town of Darien doesn’t deserve to have a state senator in a leadership position who doesn’t pay attention to 21,000 people that live here in the town of Darien.
“As first selectman, I don’t respect a leader that way. Marc has already proven himself to be a friend and a partner. I can’t wait to campaign for you, Marc,” she said. “We’re all going to put everything we have behind getting Marc D’Amelio elected in November.”