Purciello Selected As Simsbury Republican First Selectman Candidate

July 29--SIMSBURY -- Republicans Tuesday unanimously chose Phil Purciello -- a relative newcomer to politics and a military veteran -- to run for first selectman in November.

Purciello, who joined the Navy at 18, attributed his interest in public service to that experience.

"My military service was the most demanding, maturing and rewarding time in my life," Purciello said in his acceptance speech. "My experience solidified in my mind the great value of freedom and democracy we have and how fragile and precious it is."

Purciello served in the Navy from 2006 to 2012, when he was honorably discharged, and works at Travelers Insurance. He has served on the conservation commission for more than a year, and received a master's degree in public administration from the University of Connecticut.

If elected, Purciello said he hopes to lower taxes and do "everything in his power" to attract new businesses to Simsbury. Among other initiatives, he said he wants to preserve town open space and champion the preservation of key environmental and visual sites.

Republicans also nominated incumbents Sean Askham, Cheryl Cook and Mike Paine for the board of selectmen. Republican Deputy First Selectman Nancy Haase, who stepped down from the board Friday, said she would not seek re-election. Republicans currently hold the majority of seats on the board.

Askham called Purciello an excellent choice for first selectman, saying he brings a unique perspective with his military background.

"He brings a great dynamic and will help us continue to bring the town forward," he said.

Cook and Paine said they were both "thrilled" to be running with Purciello and, if elected, would continue to work on a responsible budget and ushering in a new senior center.

"The last two years with a Republican majority, we've had a lot of success," Cook said.

Zoning commission Chairman Rob Pomeroy and planning commissioner Kevin Prell were chosen as the two Republican board of finance candidates. If elected, the two will serve until Dec. 6, 2021.

Incumbent school board members Susan Salina and Tom Doran were selected to run as four-year candidates.

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