VOICES Gianquinto: The Campaigns Must Go On
The Coronavirus pandemic has consumed the public consciousness and altered every part of our daily lives. Life in our towns has ground to a halt while we collectively work to flatten the curve. CT politics are already adjusting to this new normal—budgets are passing in Zoom meetings, town committees are voting on conference calls, virtual conventions are being planned and the presidential primary has been postponed.
We’re seeing these adjustments at the national level as well, as candidates and their campaigns observe physical distancing and comply with stay-at-home orders. They’re forced to reconcile the seriousness of this global crisis with the notion that the need to unseat our President is even more important than ever.
For candidates on the national stage, canceling rallies and public events is an easy call. But they always have to raise money, and that is understandably a difficult thing to do right now.
It’s no different locally. While traditional fundraising activities for our local candidates have been postponed, their need hasn’t changed. Their deadlines are still on the calendar, and their goals are still clear. We should anticipate being asked to support our candidates in new and innovative ways, like virtual fundraising cocktail parties and digital door knocking. We expect they’ll approach it more tactfully than this.
Without question, PPE is more important than CEP. In Avon, Democrats are making check-in calls to potentially vulnerable seniors. A member of the Simsbury DTC has been sewing masks. Torrington Dems have been asking members to donate to local food banks and soup kitchens.
We can do both things. As caring members of our communities,we can support ongoing efforts to meet the immediate needs of our first responders, healthcare professionals, food banks, and other critically essential institutions. As Democrats, we can support efforts to qualify a strong slate of incumbents and challengers (and PACs!) that will work for a recovery that includes everyone in CT.
Matt Gianquinto is a member of the Simsbury Democratic Town Committee and serves as CT Democratic State Central Committeeman for the 8th District.