Alper is at the helm of Merkle’s campaign

The head of Wilton’s Republicans is managing Rob Merkle’s campaign to become the next representative of Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District.

Al Alper said he’s known Mr. Merkle, who visited Wilton for a meet-and-greet on Monday night, for many years. But if Mr. Merkle — a businessman and entrepreneur — wants to represent the district, he’s going to have to defeat State Senator Dan Debicella, who received the GOP’s nomination at its convention earlier this year, and Rick Torres, a Bridgeport businessman.

“I expect we’ll win the primary handily,” Mr. Alper said, adding Mr. Merkle has an “impassioned and emboldened base. Rob is a grassroots-endorsed candidate. He is the only candidate in the race that is a constitutional constructionist and a true conservative.”

“We have a federal government that is out of control, a federal government that is not receptive to the wants and desires of the people,” he said. “The public is looking for a candidate that is grounded in the roots of our country.”

Mr. Alper said that Mr. Debicella is “cut from the same cloth that carried the Republican Party in this district for 20-plus years” but “support for that type of Republican has diminished.”

Mr. Alper is also confident that Rep. Jim Himes (D-4th) will be a “one-term congressman no matter what.”

“His voting record is antithetical to the beliefs, principles and wishes of the 4th District majority,” he said, adding that there still are “pockets of liberalism that will anoint their heads at the altar of Jim Himes.”

“But for the most part, these people do not feel represented, they feel alienated,” he said.

Information: merkleforcongress.com.