Ronald Gambardella, former councilman and mayoral candidate, was unanimously elected chairman of the Hamden Republican Town Committee last week. He succeeds Lee Campo.

Mr. Gambardella issued the following statement on Tuesday:

“I am both humbled and appreciative that Hamden Republicans entrusted me to lead the party over the next two years,” he said. 

He noted that Republicans hold two seats on the Legislative Council, as a result of the November election, when the GOP lost three seats.  They retained only the two at-large seats reserved for the minority party. Reacting to the November loss, he said, “there is no question the Republican Party must rebuild and provide a clear choice to voters in the next election. Voters will have to make a decision whether they want more of the same:  higher taxes, more spending and greater amounts of debt, or do they want to end the reckless spending by this and prior Democratic administrations”.

To "reshape and transform" the party, Gambardella said both he and the Republican Town Committee will focus on four areas:

1. Increased Republican voter registration

2. Active candidate and volunteer recruitment

3. Fundraising

4. Shaping a local party platform and message that will attract the support of the residents of Hamden.