Electability is the main thing on Jayme Stevenson’s mind when it comes to the August 14 primary election for lieutenant governor.
Stevenson, the three-term first selectman of Darien, is making her first attempt at statewide office.
“I am the conservative Republican that can win in November,” Stevenson said, boldly proclaiming that her candidacy is the happy medium for Republican voters in August.
Stevenson was quick to attack State Sen. Joe Markley from Southington, who won the party’s endorsement at the state GOP convention back in May. She described those delegates as, “party insiders,” and adds that it would be a grave mistake for registered Republicans to pick Markley as their lieutenant governor nominee.
“He represents a part of the constituency that cannot win in November,” Stevenson said. “I find him very on the fringe of the ultra-conservative Republican Party really can’t be relatable to the general voters of this state of Connecticut. I think it’s a little bit risky to go with a candidate like that.”
Stevenson was born in Reading, Pa., attended college in Arizona, and both work and her husband’s Connecticut’s roots brought her to the state she now calls home.
She’s worked with non-profits that deal with drug abuse, and she’s held several positions relating to municipal government, serving on boards with the Western Connecticut Council of Governments, and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.
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Jayme and her husband, John, have five children, and one grandchild.
The first selectman is the political chief executive of the town of Darien, as the town administrator makes all day to day decisions.
Stevenson says because of Darien’s unique makeup, she’s positioned well for the role of lieutenant governor.
“Unlike communities that might have fifteen members of a council, we have a 100 member representative town meeting. You have to be, as a chief elected official, a consensus builder. You have to build relationships.”
Stevenson is one of two women running the state’s number two position.
New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart ended her run for governor on the day the GOP convention started, instantly joining Stevenson as a challenger to the left of Markley.
Stewart has billed herself as a common-sense Republican with acceptable views on guns and the role of government in day to day life, but she has come under fire for her views on abortion, she’s in favor of a woman’s right to choose, and her support for collective bargaining in the city she runs.
Some political insiders have feared for the electability of Markley in a general election, while being concerned that Stewart and Stevenson may split votes, guaranteeing a win for Markley.
Stevenson had a harsh assessment of Stewart’s campaign so far, and what she represents.
“Erin is very liberal. She’s a very liberal Republican,” Stevenson said.
She added that GOP voters would be doing themselves a disservice by voting either to the right with Markley or to the left with Stewart.
“Voting for Joe [Markley], is really voting for Ned Lamont because if he’s on the ticket the Republican ticket is going to struggle and voting for Erin will really disenfranchise the Republican base. I am a fiscal conservative fit nicely in between the two of them.”
