Cathy Carter

Updated 07/24: At their caucus Thursday evening, the Old Lyme Republican Town Committee (RTC) endorsed newcomer Cathy Carter for First Selectwoman to challenge Democrat incumbent Bonnie Reemsnyder in November. Two years ago, the Republicans did not endorse a candidate for First Selectman and Reemsnyder was re-elected unopposed.

Incumbent Selectman Arthur “Skip” Sibley was endorsed in 2013, however, and was endorsed again for the same position yesterday.

Carter comes from a family with a long political tradition — her father John Quine was the Republican Mayor of Meriden in the 70s and involved in town politics there as minority or majority leader for 27 years.

Asked how she felt after receiving the endorsement, Carter responded, “I think it’s really exciting, this is really my passion .”  She noted she was “very close” to her father and grew up actively debating political issues with him.  He never moved into state politics because, according to Carter, “for him politics was really a community thing — it was all about making the best community you could.”

Echoing his mission for her venture into the political arena, Carter said, “I feel very fortunate living in Old Lyme. My husband brought me here 27 years ago and I’ve loved living here.”  Carter and her husband, Christopher, have raised two children in Old Lyme.  She currently works full-time as the Admissions Associate at The Williams School in New London after previously serving as the school’s Assistant Athletic Director for seven years.

Carter was heavily involved in the establishment of girl’s lacrosse in Old Lyme, where she was one of the founding members of the ‘Ticks’ Girls’ Lacrosse Club and also served as the assistant coach at Lyme-Old Lyme High School for a period of years.

David Kelsey, RTC Chairman, commented enthusiastically, ” I am very excited to have someone of the caliber of Cathy to represent the Republicans.  Her educational background is municipal administration, so in terms of connecting with the voters, she has the experience, which, in turn, will serve her well as First Selectwoman.” He added, “We’re all really excited to get behind her for this November.”

Although Carter has not held any prior town office, Kelsey explained, “She’s been very active in the local Republican party.” Asked why she had not previously sought a town position, Carter responded that she was already involved with many other things, citing her family, lacrosse and work. Her husband, Christopher, who was raised in Old Lyme, previously served on the Region 18 Board of Education as a Republican.

Carter noted with a chuckle that she and her husband met as a result of their shared interest in politics when they were both working on the 1988 Presidential Primaries.

Regarding Sibley’s endorsement, Kelsey said, “It speaks for itself.  Skip has the depth of elected experience that we want to support.”  Kelsey noted that he believed Sibley was running for his eight consecutive term on the board of selectmen.

Two newcomers were endorsed for the Region 18 Board of Education.  Erick Cushman is a US Navy commander and has been employed at Electric Boat for 15 years.  Stacy Winchell is Co-President of the Lyme-Old Lyme Junior Women’s Club and also an alternate on the Old Lyme Zoning Commission.

Other endorsements made Thursday evening were Judith Tooker for tax collector; former Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold for town treasurer; Jane Marsh for the zoning commission; Harold Thompson and Christopher Kerr for the planning commission; Rod White for the board of assessment; Andy Russell for board of finance; and finally Kelsey and Robert Jose as alternates for the board of finance. No endorsement was made for the zoning board of appeals.

The Democrats hold their caucus next Monday, July 27, at 7:30 p.m. also in the town hall.