Politics & Government
Hayes Seeks to Force Democratic Primary for East Windsor Selectmen
Former selectman seeks election to the Board of Selectmen in November.
East Windsor Democrat Gil Hayes is collecting signatures to force a primary for the Board of Selectmen.
In a telephone interview on Monday, Hayes said that he needs about 170 signatures - 200 to be safe - to have a September primary between him, Jason Bowsza and Dale Nelson.
He must get his signatures in by Aug. 7, though he is leaving for South Africa for the World Transplant Games. He said he is a kidney transplant recipient and has done work for various transplant organizations.
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Hayes said that he requested that the Democrats include him among the nominees, but they declined to put him on the ballot. He was on vacation when the Democrats held their caucus last week, he said.
“It’s an uphill battle,” Hayes said. “I only have a short time before I leave the country.”
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Hayes said that he brings a wealth of experience to the table, having served on the Board of Selectmen for three terms before deciding not to run for re-election in 2011. He also served on the Board of Finance for three terms, he said.
“I was the voice of the people and I want to bring that back,” he said. “I’m back and I know that I am very bipartisan. I got in trouble with my own party back when I was elected.”
Hayes said there is no animosity toward the party or the other candidates running for the Board of Selectmen.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for the other candidate,” he said. “But my common-sense approach is probably needed.”Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
