TERRYVILLE, Conn. (March 23) – The Plymouth Republican Town Committee (RTC) has endorsed Justin Bernier for U.S. Congress in the 5th District, it said via news release.
Plymouth is the tenth Republican Town Committee to endorse Bernier. He has been endorsed by twice as many RTCs than all other candidates combined.
“I am honored to have earned the support of the Plymouth Republican Town Committee,” Bernier said in a statement. “For the last year my campaign has been about winning the support of Republicans in the town committees because they are the people who will win this election come November.”
“I am committed to improving the business environment,” Bernier continued, “so we can create good-paying jobs in Connecticut. We need less government spending and taxes, cheaper energy, and real reforms that make health care affordable for all American families.”
Newly elected RTC Chairman Keith G. Golnik said he supported Bernier because of his energy and different approach to politics.
“Justin is a fresh face instead of an enshrined politician,” Golnik said. “We need to elect people who will go to Washington to change the way we do business in Congress.”
Golnik, an Army veteran, also praised Bernier’s service in the military: “Justin served his country in Afghanistan, so I know he will watch out for veterans and military families when he gets to Congress.”
Bernier congratulated Golnik on his election as chairman, citing his hard work in the 2009 elections.
“Keith is a tireless campaigner who understands the importance of creating jobs in central Connecticut,” said Bernier. “I know he will continue the fantastic job that David Goodwin, Plymouth’s previous chairman, did for the town committee.”
Importance of Town Committees
Bernier, a Plainville resident, has demonstrated growing support for his campaign in the greater Waterbury area. He was recently endorsed by Middlebury First Selectman Tom Gormley and key members of the Thomaston RTC.
In Connecticut, Republican Town Committees are important because the state party uses a convention system to endorse Republican candidates for federal office. In May, Connecticut Republicans will gather in Hartford to endorse candidates for the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and state-wide offices. About 95 percent of the delegates to the convention will come from the ranks for the RTCs.
Bernier has also been endorsed by eight State Central Committee members who collectively represent 27 of 41 towns in the 5th Congressional District.
Bernier continues to outpace his Republican competitors for the party nomination. He has outraised each of his Republican competitors by more than two-to-one, and he is the only candidate who has been put “On the Radar” by the National Republican Congressional Committee.