Dave Bindelglass: Local Candidates Should Take a Position on National Issues

First Selectman David Bindelglass on the need to discuss the impacts of Trump and Republican policies on Easton

Because I am not running for reelection, I feel more comfortable commenting on the differences between the philosophies of the two parties as they have been made clear to me these last six years. 

I would like to comment on the role of national politics in Easton municipal elections. In my three runs for First Selectman, I steadfastly resisted efforts to bring national politics into my campaigns. I always believed Easton elections should be about Easton issues. Local Republicans have always agreed and have criticized Democrats when they sought to connect national Republican policies and positions to local issues here in town. 

This year, I would expect local Republicans to double down on their opposition to any mention of Trump’s policies, but these policies have already begun to directly impact our lives here in town, so I have come to believe they should be fair game for discussion this campaign season. 

 I am particularly concerned about people losing health care coverage or having to face huge increases in the cost of their healthcare from changes to Medicare/Medicaid and health exchange coverage. This will especially affect our seniors. I think it is inevitable that Easton will lose funding for our schools, as the federal government reduces state funding especially to blue states. Lastly in industries like agriculture, landscaping and construction the disruption caused by mass deportations could have serious effects on our town. Then there is inflation and food insecurity which could worsen as well.

This is a “perfect storm” for a town like Easton with no commercial tax base. Our revenues will fall, and we will be faced with tough choices.

Our local Democrats have built strong relationships with our state leaders while Republicans have actively campaigned against Hartford, even though state funding has been critical for projects including the EMS building, the library renovation, our pickleball courts, the new turf field at Barlow, and a number of our land preservation programs. Democrats are far better positioned to find ways to continue to work with our state government now that we need their support more than ever. 

I would urge you to consider whether this should be discussed in our local campaigns that are currently underway. I believe it should.  National issues could severely affect our citizens and our town. I think we should ask whether our candidates support these policies out of Washington and how they will address their effects.

David Bindelglass

Oct 1, 2025