Every town has its own civic DNA. In New Canaan, Republicans say, it has long been defined by a certain balance: strong schools paired with fiscal restraint, a devotion to tradition combined with a willingness to adjust when change is inevitable. This fall’s Republican slate, they argue, is designed around that balance.
As Republican Town Committee chair Melany Hearne put it, “Our leadership has maintained low taxes, defended local control, and delivered one of the best school systems in the state.” For the party, the campaign is less about reinvention than about continuity — less about slogans than about what they describe as a lived record of stewardship.
Board of Selectmen
At the top of the ticket is First Selectman Dionna Carlson, seeking re-election. Republicans highlight her as a leader who has already produced measurable results. They point to her work securing an affordable housing moratorium under state statute 8-30g through 2028, a step they say gives the town space to plan responsibly. They credit her with partnering with the Housing Authority to purchase the Avalon complex, now Riverwood, which they believe positions New Canaan to extend the moratorium through 2032. They note she oversaw the completion of the Police Department headquarters ahead of schedule and under budget, and that she helped reopen The Playhouse with the aid of a $2 million state grant.
Republicans also emphasize her earlier service on the Board of Education, where she was elected chair, and her professional background in finance. They say this combination of experience reflects what they value in leadership: fiscal seriousness, practical results, and open communication, including her monthly “News from Town Hall” newsletter.
Running alongside Carlson is Selectman Steve Karl, another candidate Republicans hold up as a cornerstone of their slate. They note his family’s long history of civic involvement — his great-grandfather served on the Board of Education for over two decades, and his great-granduncle was First Selectman for 16 years. Karl himself, Republicans say, has given decades to town service, including 16 years on the Town Council, where he chaired and vice-chaired multiple committees.
They describe him as the “neighbor-politician,” someone who has coached youth sports, supported school programs, and remained closely tied to civic institutions. Republicans stress his pragmatism: build consensus, respect traditions, and keep the town livable for families and affordable for retirees. Together, Carlson and Karl are presented as evidence of the party’s message — tested leadership with proven results.
Board of Education
Republicans frame their Board of Education candidates as steady guardians of a school system that is already among the state’s best.
They point to Hugo Alves, the current chair, as a leader who, in their words, has combined fiscal clarity with academic focus. They credit him with guiding policy changes such as new start times, strengthening security through School Resource Officers, and supporting phone-free policies at Saxe Middle School.
They describe Philip Hogan as a strong advocate for parental involvement and transparency. A father of four, he is praised within the party for pressing back against unfunded mandates from Hartford and for helping to shape practical compromises on contentious issues. Republicans highlight his direct style as proof of his conviction that local schools should be governed by local voices.
Julie Toal, seeking a second term, is described by Republicans as the “community connector” on the slate. They note her work as a Newcomers Club president, youth coach, and co-founder of New Canaan Unplugged. They highlight her focus on student well-being, parental rights, and restoring stability post-COVID. For Republicans, her presence underscores their emphasis on education rooted in both academic rigor and family life.
Together, the three Board of Education candidates are presented as proof of what Republicans see as their record: high-performing schools, transparent governance, and careful spending of tax dollars.
Town Council
The Republican Town Council slate, party leaders say, offers a mix of experience and fresh energy, tied together by a shared ethos of stewardship.
They describe Scott Gress as the “steady hand,” noting his decades of service on the Youth Commission, the Board of Education, and Park and Recreation. His professional background as a local business owner is cited as part of his pragmatic approach.
Pavla Levin is highlighted for her financial and technology expertise, as well as her civic roles on the Board of Assessment Appeals and the Utilities Commission. Republicans emphasize her practical concerns: better cell coverage for first responders, improved safety for e-bikes and scooters, and resistance to state housing mandates.
Arvind Bajaj is praised for bringing what Republicans call “global perspective, local grounding.” With a career in real estate finance, three terms as Constable, and service on the Ethics Board, he is described as someone who knows both the stakes of fiscal policy and the rhythms of community life.
Republicans frame Penny Young as their institutional memory. They point to her long tenure on the Town Council, her work on developing the Lapham Community Center, and her involvement in boards focused on aging, culture, and public policy. Her call for a Charter Revision Commission is cited as an example of her attention to governance.
Community Engagement
Republicans describe their campaign not as a directive from above but as a network of neighbors. Hearne has called volunteers “the backbone of our success.” The party underscores that its strength lies in residents who knock on doors, serve on commissions, and show up at meetings. Their strength is also evidenced by their personal commitment to New Canaan, as they are all known by the community for their deep volunteer engagement with civil organizations.
The campaign calendar includes neighborhood coffees, small gatherings, and fundraisers to help support their strong slate of accomplished candidates, which Republicans say is as much about fellowship as politics. The emphasis, they argue, is not on speeches but on listening.
The Republican story in this election, as they tell it, is not about change but about continuity. With Dionna Carlson and Steve Karl at the top of the ticket, a Board of Education team they describe as proven and resolute, and a Town Council slate that blends history with pragmatism, Republicans believe they are offering the town a steady hand and trusted leadership.
The message, understated but firm, is that local government works best when decisions are made by neighbors, not by distant legislators. Fiscal responsibility paired with strong schools; tradition alongside adaptation. Republicans cast themselves as custodians of New Canaan’s civic DNA — the habits, values, and institutions that, in their view, have long kept the town strong.
