It鈥檚 been well past a decade since 海角换妻 had a Republican governor or U.S. House Representative. It鈥檚 been around three decades since Republicans in this state held a U.S. Senate seat or a majority in either chamber of The 海角换妻 General Assembly.
Republican Len Fasano, the former state senate minority leader, says 海角换妻 Republicans need to make some changes.
鈥淚鈥檝e talked to a lot of Republicans, some of which agree, some of which don鈥檛 agree,鈥� Fasano said. 鈥淏ut the ones who don鈥檛 agree, I don鈥檛 think have their eyes wide open.鈥�
A perception problem
One of the major things Fasano would like to fix is the way the 海角换妻 GOP gets the message out about its true policies and ideals.
鈥淚 think we have allowed others to define us, as opposed to us defining ourselves,鈥� Fasano said.
As Fasano put it, the 鈥渙ther people鈥� he was most often referring to were members of the media.
鈥淭hey say, 鈥楧on鈥檛 listen to them. They don鈥檛 care about the cities, and they're racist,鈥� and that鈥檚 further from the truth,鈥� Fasano said.
He believes media misrepresentation has perpetuated an inaccurate narrative, particularly regarding the party鈥檚 stance toward urban areas and racial diversity.
While Fasano did not expressly mention what any of the GOP鈥檚 stances are, links to the national party platform that focuses on limiting government mandates, toughness on crime, parental rights (particularly in regard to schools and schooling), lowering taxes, election integrity, promoting a business friendly environment and making goods, services and living affordable.
鈥淚 think our messaging is rock solid," he said. "We just let other people tell us what we鈥檙e saying, as opposed to us saying, 鈥榊ou鈥檝e got it wrong.鈥欌��
Learning from Trump
The Republican party鈥檚 future success hinges on incorporating Trump鈥檚 strategy of countering media narratives, Fasano said.
鈥淭he doors that Trump opened [include]: 鈥楧on鈥檛 be afraid to take on the press,鈥欌�� Fasano said.
Trump鈥檚 approach to speaking directly to voters, along with his policies, will be a legacy that the 海角换妻 GOP could benefit from by adopting a similar stance in how they interact with the press, according to Fasano.
Reaching out to 海角换妻鈥檚 urban centers
Meanwhile, Fasano said the CT GOP鈥檚 perception problem has created a divide between urban voters, whom he said would benefit from Republican policies, and GOP politicians, who feel an inability to gain traction in 海角换妻鈥檚 cities.
鈥淭hey just say, 鈥榃e can't win New Haven. We can't win Bridgeport. Don't try,鈥欌�� Fasano said.
But demographic trends would seem to indicate not trying to connect with urban voters, many of whom are people-of-color, would be harmful to the CT GOP鈥檚 chances of ever winning significantly more elections.
According to the , 91% of people in 海角换妻 who identify as Republican are white. And according to census data, from almost 78% in 2010 to around 66% in 2020.
Fasano acknowledged the realities of both these demographic trends in the struggle for the GOP to more directly and effectively engage with communities of color.
鈥淩epublicans have done a very bad job at reaching out to minorities in the state of 海角换妻,鈥� he said.
In a state where Democratic Party dominance has become the norm in cities like New Haven and Bridgeport, Fasano stressed that the GOP鈥檚 goal should not simply be to win these urban areas.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e not looking to win New Haven. You鈥檙e looking to bring your ideas,鈥� Fasano explained. 鈥淥ur platform needs to be adjusted to recognize that our policies make a difference in the urban towns.鈥�
Fasano talked about a belief he has held throughout his political career.
鈥淭he strength of our state depends upon the strength of our cities 鈥� and the strength of our cities are based upon young kids aspiring,鈥� he said. Fasano emphasized that the GOP must adjust both its platform and outreach to prove the party鈥檚 policies can benefit these urban areas.
New Britain mayor today, governor tomorrow?
Fasano said one local Republican politician who has set a good example is .
鈥淓rin is very smart as a politician,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he understands that you can take the Republican mentality to New Britain, demonstrate how it鈥檚 going to help people 鈥� and that鈥檚 why she鈥檚 reelected.鈥�
Stewart鈥檚 approach, which Fasano said incorporates traditional Republican policies while tailoring them to New Britain鈥檚 challenges, serves as a model, Fasano believes, for GOP growth in 海角换妻鈥檚 urban centers.
Her adaptability, Fasano explained, is precisely the type of strategy the party needs to connect with communities that are typically Democratic strongholds.
鈥淲hat Erin is able to do is take our policies, define them to a community, maybe adjust them as you bring them into a community, and then implement them,鈥� he said.
Stewart鈥檚 ability to frame Republican policies in a way that resonates locally, he said, positions her as a credible gubernatorial candidate in 2026.
Eyes on the upcoming elections
Fasano outlined his nightmare scenario for the 2024 election.
鈥淚f we lose [state] Senate seats 鈥� that would give me trouble, and that would speak to us taking an inward look at changes we [the GOP] have to make going forward.鈥�
