Connecticut Independents Organize Against Democratic-Republican Ruling Coalition

Last summer, in a post on grassroots independent and third party activism in Connecticut, I wrote:

It should come as no surprise that one of the two Independents in the US senate represents the state of Connecticut. The majority of voters in the state are not affiliated with any political party whatsoever. And their numbers are growing. In 1989, Independents accounted for 33% of registered voters in the state. In 2004, 44% of registered voters in the state were not affiliated with any party . . . Late last year, the Stamford Plus reported that there were twenty-four active parties in Connecticut. This year has witnessed the foundation of at least two more. The Milford, Connecticut Independent Party was launched in April, and now residents in the town of Chester have launched the Common Ground Party.

The New Haven Register reports that the Milford Independent Party is currently in the process of formalizing its organizational structure to put themselves in a position to defeat the ruling Democratic-Republican establishment coalition:

The Milford Independent Party is planning to create a more formal organizational structure, which leaders hope will put them on an equal playing field with Republicans and Democrats. At a meeting Monday, the party will form a town committee, adopt bylaws, elect officers and attempt to recruit a full slate of candidates for state and local elections . . .

Stephen Borer, an organizer who ran for the Board of Aldermen from the 1st District in November, said it’s time to offer another alternative. “People are tired of the two-party system not working for them,” he said . . . Borer added that the party will seek to nominate a full slate of candidates for state and local elections. The Milford group will become affiliated with the state Independent Party.