Stafford Republicans put up Titus for first selectman

Jul. 29—STAFFORD — At this week's caucus, local Republicans chose Republican Town Chairman Sal Titus as the party's candidate for first selectman, and Rep. Kurt Vail, R-Stafford, as the candidate for selectman.

First Selectwoman Mary Mitta and Selectman John Locke make up the party's current majority on the three-seat board, but Mitta said neither chose to run for re-election. Mitta declined to comment further, and Locke did not respond to a request for comment.

Titus, 46, is in his first term on the Board of Finance. He received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from the University of Hartford's Barney School of Business, and most recently worked for the Glastonbury banking consultant firm Fiserv.

Titus said he recently left the company after 12 years there in search of a new opportunity. "And this is it," he added. "I was honored to be nominated."

Titus said the current board has been effective in leading the town, and he said he wants to build on that momentum.

"Everyone can agree the town over the past few years has definitely changed for the better," he said, adding that Mitta, Locke, and Democrat Richard Hartenstein "worked great together."

"I don't think we would be where we are today if the three of them didn't work the way they did," he said. "It wasn't Democrats; it wasn't Republicans. It was people who grew up in the town and wanted to see it thrive."

Titus said he has been encouraged by many people in town to run, and he said his experience working with the town budget during his time on the Finance Board has been crucial.

However, he said he has been involved in town matters dating to his senior year of high school, when he worked with former First Selectman John Julian to form a committee that led to the founding of the town's Teen Center. He also recalled sending a letter to then-Gov. Lowell P. Weicker that same year convincing Weicker to speak at the Stafford High School graduation ceremony.

"That's part of why people have always asked me to get involved — because I tend to get things done," he said. "I don't sit there and say, 'That's too hard. That's impossible.'"

Vail was unavailable for comment on his candidacy as selectman.

Titus is running against Democratic first selectman candidate Gene Julian, a retired carpenter and former 12-year member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Hartenstein, also a Democrat, is the only selectman running for re-election.

The Republican slate also includes Board of Education candidates Aaron Hoffman, Erica Bushior, and Janene Berriault, all newcomers. Republican incumbent Andrea Locke chose not to run for re-election, Titus said.

For updates and coverage of Vernon and Stafford, follow Anthony Branciforte on Twitter: @ABranciforte_JI, Facebook: Reporter Anthony Branciforte, and Instagram: @JI_Anthony1.