I write in response to the letter to the editor in the Jan. 14 issue of the Bristol Phoenix written by Mssrs. Faria, Marshall and Rego. These gentlemen urge the Phoenix to research the issues they raise in their letter. 

Thank you to the Phoenix for doing just that in its page 3 story in the same edition. That story clearly explains the role of Town Committees and their chairs, the endorsement process, and Erich Haslehurst’s roles as a campaign manager and a lobbyist.

These three former chairs charge that in his capacity as chairman, “Mr. Haslehurst can put the local Democratic party to work raising money for Democratic candidates, endorse them, and charge them money for political consulting.”

As these former chairs know, one of the key functions of local party committees is, in fact, to recruit and support candidates. Another key function, embedded in state law, is the endorsement process. And as the article indicates, the Town Committee plays no formal role in the endorsement of candidates for the General Assembly.

So, the suggestion that any of those activities are somehow connected to Mr. Haslehurst’s consulting business is not only false, but libelous. Attendance at Bristol Democratic Town Committee meetings will reveal that Mr. Haslehurst is fastidious about maintaining a bright line between his work as committee chair and his work as a campaign consultant.

Regarding my own campaign, I contracted with Mr. Haslehurst (before he was elected Town Committee chair) to manage my special election campaign in 2019 and again for my re-election campaign in 2020. He is an excellent campaign manager and a consummate professional, and I am grateful for the work he did for my campaign.

I work hard to raise the funds that I use to pay my campaign expenses. As my campaign finance reports show, these contributions come from dozens of individuals and organizations.

Finally, the suggestion that Mr. Haslehurst “use[s] his position to sway the votes and views of committee members who are elected officials in favor of his client’s positions” is absurd and insulting on its face. My positions on all issues are my own. I am happy to talk with the former chairs, or anyone else, about where I stand on the issues before the General Assembly and why.

I should point out that, as a resident of Warren, I am not a member of the Bristol Democratic Town Committee, but attend most meetings as a guest to listen and learn, and to report and take feedback on my work representing Bristol in the House.

I do hope that the new year brings a new common commitment to use public forums like the Opinion page in the Phoenix to thoughtfully and accurately discuss the enormous challenges that face our state and nation and to refrain from baseless attacks on community leaders.

June Speakman
Warren

Ms. Speakman is Representative, District 68, Bristol/Warren.