Independent Party of Connecticut

The Independent Party of Connecticut is a minor political party in the State of Connecticut. As of November 3, 2014, Connecticut had 16,189 active voters registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State with the Independent party, making it the third largest party in the state.^[1] The party has at least one elected official. In November, 2013, Lawrence DePillo was elected to the Waterbury Board of Aldermen.^[2]

History

In the 1930s, an Independent-Republican party was formed by Professor Albert Levitt of Redding, CT and Irving Fisher, a Yale economist.^[3] However, the official title of "Independent Party" was used later on. In 1958, Andrew C. LaCroix of Easton, Connecticut was acting treasurer of the Independent Party of Connecticut. The party backed Ms. Vivian Kellems of Stonington, Connecticut in a 1956 write-in campaign. At that time, Anthony Sparaco of Old Saybrook was president, and Rosemary Favale of Waterbury was vice-president.^[4] In 1959, Charles R. Iovino of Milford, Connecticut was also elected as an Independent write-in candidate.^[5] As early as 1967, the Independent Party of Connecticut has successfully held meetings throughout the State.^[6] However, it is speculated that the Independent Party of Connecticut was actually formed on August 23, 1966.^[7]

Town committees

An Independent Town Committee is local organization that affiliates with the State-Central Executive Board. According to bylaws, they must consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Town committees by city/town

• East Haven, Connecticut^[8]
• Milford, Connecticut^[9]
• Middletown, Connecticut^[10]
• Newtown, Connecticut^[11]
• Waterbury, Connecticut^[12]
• Watertown, Connecticut^[13]
• Winsted, Connecticut- Samuel Demonstranti, Chairman- David LaPointe, Treasurer

Notable candidates

• Jennie Cave - The First Woman Elected Mayor of the City of Norwalk in 1975.^[14]
• In 1885, there were 2 Connecticut Senators elected as Independents.^[15]

Non-independent Party of CT candidates

In Connecticut, some candidates have been referred to as "Independent" while running for public office. However, they were not endorsed by The Independent Party of Connecticut.

List of non-independent Party of Connecticut candidates

• Lowell Weicker - Endorsed by "A Connecticut Party" when elected Governor of Connecticut in 1990.
• Joe Lieberman - Endorsed by "Connecticut for Lieberman Party" when elected Senator of Connecticut in 2006

References

Connecticut political parties
Major	Democratic Republican
Minor	Green Libertarian Socialist Working Families Independent Party of Connecticut
Defunct	A Connecticut Party Concerned Citizens Party Connecticut for Lieberman Toleration Party
Political party strength in Connecticut