Why Greenwich Republicans Will Have a Primary on September 9th

On September 9, Greenwich Republicans will choose the candidates who will represent our party on the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET)—the body that manages over $600 million of taxpayer money. This primary is not just about who sits on the BET; it’s about whether our town’s finances will be guided by independent oversight or controlled by a small group of insiders who’ve held power for decades.

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This Republican Primary is Between Entrenched Insiders and Independent Thinkers.

The primary exists because BET Chair Harry Fisher—after more than 40 years in town government—has built a slate of loyalists with one goal: to replace the endorsed Republican incumbents with insiders who will protect the establishment, silence debate, and discourage dissent. In their world, any “new” member is only welcome if they’ve already agreed to toe the line. His team is stacked with long-time insiders, including a 20-year BET member, a former BET member with a nepotism scandal, and a 35-year RTM rubberstamp—clear proof of why term limits matter and why fresh Republican voices are needed.

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The Insiders Have Shown a Troubling Lack of Character and Professionalism.

Over the past term, Fisher has fostered a hostile work environment—berating Republican colleagues both publicly and privately, even calling those who opposed him “miscreants.” Meetings, texts, and emails have been marked by constant yelling, personal attacks, and intimidation—conduct that would be unacceptable in any professional setting. When his political ally, RTC Chair Michael Hahn, wrote in a strategy email about “dragging the ladies along” (referring to female BET colleagues), Fisher’s only response was to “ignore it.” That’s not just poor judgment—it’s a willingness to excuse disrespect toward women when it’s politically convenient. Every Republican—man or woman—should ask if that’s the kind of leadership we want representing our party and our town.

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Entrenched Insiders Have Abandoned Integrity and Republican Values.

The entrenched insiders have repeatedly put their own control ahead of Republican values. In a move seen only once in the past century, Fisher became BET Chair by breaking with fellow Republicans and securing unanimous Democratic support. Once in power, he punished dissent by appointing Democrats to key committees over more qualified Republicans. His slate has made similarly troubling choices—one member nominated the most progressive RTM moderator in town history, and another, a former BOE chair, consistently sided with Democrats on spending initiatives and costly contracts. In the final budget meeting, Fisher sided with Democrats to raise taxes—only reversing course after Republican colleagues made clear it was not in the best interest of Greenwich residents.

 

Greenwich Republicans Deserve Strong, Independent Leadership with Character and Integrity.

 

We believe Greenwich deserves principled, independent leadership. Our team—incumbents David Alfano, Nisha Arora, and Lucia Jansen, joined by Alessandra Brus, Phil Dodson, and John Hopley—offers unmatched expertise in finance, investment management, and budget oversight, along with decades of volunteer and community service. We are seasoned fiscal stewards with proven track records of transparency, accountability, and results. We will restore character, integrity, and professionalism to the Republican Party in Greenwich. On September 9, vote for Republican candidates who will keep Greenwich financially strong, preserve checks and balances, and put our community—not political insiders—first.

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*David Alfano, Nisha Arora, and Lucia Jansen were endorsed by the Republican Town Committee on July 22. Alessandra Brus, Phil Dodson, and John Hopley qualified for the primary ballot through petitions filed on August 6. The six are running together as a team in the September 9th Republican primary.