For Immediate Release

Waterbury, CT – Today the Caligiuri campaign announced the latest addition to its staff, Gregg Cogswell as campaign manager.

“Gregg brings the experience of someone who knows and understands the landscape of the district, and has played critical roles in several campaigns in the Fifth. I am fortunate to have Gregg spearheading our campaign against Chris Murphy next year, and know that he can lead us in building the kind of organization we need to win next November,” said Caligiuri.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Caligiuri campaign at a time when our district needs a strong, proven leader to defeat Chris Murphy next year. Sam is that leader, and I look forward to growing the already substantial base of support for his candidacy,” said Cogswell.

Cogswell held key positions in the campaigns of Torrington Mayor Ryan Bingham and former State Representative Anne Ruwet, and led the Torrington Republicans in two consecutive sweeps of municipal elections in 2007 and 2009. He is currently a Legislative Aide to Senator Kevin D. Witkos in Connecticut’s 8^th Senatorial District, which covers eleven municipalities throughout the Farmington Valley. He has also served as the Legislative Aide to former State Senator Robert D. Russo of Bridgeport. Prior to joining the Senate Republican staff, Cogswell was a coordinator for former Rep. Rob Simmons’ Congressional campaign in 2006, and subsequently an aide to the State House Republican Caucus. He has also served as Chairman of the Torrington Republican Town Committee since 2008, but will be resigning his post as Chairman to dedicate his full attention to the Caligiuri campaign.

Cogswell is a lifelong resident of Torrington. He currently serves on the Connecticut Child Poverty and Prevention Council, and the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee. He is also a past member of the Torrington Board of Assessment Appeals.

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Today, Connecticut GOP Chairman Chris Healy tipped his hand — he wants Sen. Sam Caligiuri to run against Chris Murphy.
"Over the last few weeks, State Senator Sam Caligiuri and I have discussed his candidacy for statewide office. After much thought and discussion with other leaders and activists, I have urged him to focus his energies on the Fifth Congressional district where I believe he would be a top candidate," Healy said.
In response to Chairman Healy’s call for Sen. Caligiuri to enter the Fifth Congressional district race, Caligiuri made the following statement:
"I want to thank Chairman Healy for his kind words and encouragement of my potential candidacy in the Fifth Congressional District. Over the last several days I have been exploring this option with Chairman Healy and other leaders in the party who have reached out to me in support of this move. My goal has always been to best serve the people of Connecticut by reviving our economy, reforming government, and restoring fiscal responsibility. Over the coming days, I will make a decision on how I can best continue to fight for those principles and serve the people of Connecticut."
But what happened to Justin Bernier? Bernier was endorsed already by Greg Cogswell, Torrington’s Republican Town Committee chair. Will this pit Republicans against Republicans? Old guard against tea party GOP?