In last week’s edition of the Phoenix there was an article which contained interviews with various local candidates and their belief that Bristol voters cast their ballots for more “moderate” candidates in last week’s election. I would suggest before these candidates pop the champagne corks and take a victory lap, they may want to consider a number of factors regarding the past, present, and future demographics of the Bristol electorate.

For starters, one need look no further than our neighbors in Warren and Barrington, and see the political makeup of the elected officials in those towns. Both Warren and Barrington are dominated by liberal progressive leadership, after many years of more conservative and moderate politicians in control.

While Bristol has yet to see that shift, it is only a matter of time before we see that ideology migrate to our town.

The next thing these “moderate” candidates should look at would be two sections in every week’s Phoenix — the obituaries and the real estate transfers. I’ve lost track over the years of how many long time Bristolians have died, and soon after their obituary is published, you see their homes being sold to out of town buyers, many of who identify as liberal progressives.

When I was growing up, many native Bristolians referred to these new residents as “carpetbaggers,” a term that I personally find offensive and unwelcoming. But what the “moderates” should keep in mind is that in Bristol, soon these “carpetbaggers” will be described with a new term — “The Majority.”

Mike Proto
Bristol