To the Editor:
The first few months of Donald Trump’s second term have been, to say the least, unsettling. Excessive tariffs on long-time allies, military troops deployed in American cities, blackmailing universities and law firms, and the politicization of everything–from the Department of Justice to the federal science agencies–have alarmed many who once considered themselves traditional conservatives. While the loudest voices on the far right may still cheer, most independents and “old-school” Republicans have expressed dismay. Karl Rove has condemned Trump’s erratic economic policies and his vilification of political opponents. Columnist George Will has warned about the dangers of unchecked executive power. Even stalwart conservative publications like The National Review and The Bulwark have criticized the president’s increasingly authoritarian tendencies.
Beyond the political class, former Trump supporters in the broader culture have voiced regret. Podcaster Joe Rogan, who once backed Trump, reacted to the ICE raids saying, “That’s crazy… I don’t think anybody would have signed up for that. They said we’re going to get rid of the criminals and the gang members… not construction workers.” Comedian Andrew Schulz, another Trump voter, was more blunt: “Everything he campaigned on… now he’s doing the exact opposite of every single f—ing thing… I voted for none of this!”
Many independents and Republicans share that sentiment, and one might hope they include our neighbors in Old Lyme. Unfortunately, the decisions of our own Republican Town Committee suggest otherwise. In July, rather than distancing itself from Trump’s agenda, the RTC aligned with it. Former RTC chair and current Board of Finance candidate David Kelsey partnered with Vice President J.D. Vance to host a major Republican fundraiser in Nantucket—one of several events held to bolster the national Trump agenda. Mr. Kelsey reportedly contributed $250,000 of his own money to the effort, signaling not just support but full-throated endorsement of the policies the Trump–Vance administration is pursuing. Other RTC-endorsed candidates have expressed MAGA sentiments, but not like this.
A natural reaction might be “who cares?” It’s his money, after all. But when a local committee and its candidates publicly align themselves with national figures like Donald Trump, it’s not a neutral act—it’s a declaration of values, judgment, and worldview. Support for a leader who has undermined democratic norms, attacked the rule of law, and governed through division tells us something about how those local officials might approach their own responsibilities: their political philosophy, whom they listen to, how they exercise power, and what conduct they find acceptable. The Board of Finance may handle budgets, not foreign policy, but the same instincts—respect for truth, fairness, accountability, and inclusion—guide decisions at every level.
Voters deserve leaders who demonstrate sound judgment and moral independence, not those who treat loyalty to a national personality as a substitute for integrity or competence. It’s true—Mr. Kelsey can spend his money however he chooses. But he’s running for a position that allows him to spend our money. In November, let’s choose leaders who make better spending choices.
David Rubino
Old Lyme, CT
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Rubino is a member of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee