Monthly Archives: January 2026

News

Longstanding Chairman of the Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee Juliana Simone Retires after 15 Years

January 2025

The Chairman of the Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee, Juliana Simone, has announced her retirement after 15 years. 

Since 2005, Simone has worked in every capacity for the CT GOP, working for the House and Senate Republicans at the Capitol, running for State Representative in 2006, being only one of two Republican races that election year covered by the Hartford Courant, in addition to being endorsed by the Republican American newspaper.

Working on U.S. Senate, Congress and statewide campaigns since 2009, commenting to the press on state issues, she also took the state convention stage twice – once as a State Representative candidate for what was then the 63rd district, when sitting House Minority Leader Bob Ward chose her out of six contenders to showcase on stage, and twice to second the nomination for a conservative naturalized citizen, U.S. Senate candidate, Peter Lumaj.

Juliana Simone came to statewide and national attention under what the press called “LOB Gate” when Democrat staffers raided her desk after she left work to pick up her child at daycare. It was all recorded by ceiling security cameras. A Democrat aide under former New Britain Mayor and State Senator, Donald Defronzo, Rick Lopes, now sits as a State Senator today despite harassing a House Republican committee appointee and being put on leave without pay for his actions for a brief time.

Statewide press which leans left in Connecticut supported Simone. She was interviewed by then popular local radio host’s show, Dan Lovallo, was the breaking news story on all network affiliates, and even mentioned on Bill O’Reilly’s popular program on the Fox News Channel.

Simone taped a half hour political interview cable show on public access for 14 years which included guests such as former U.S. Congressman Rob Simmons and Chris Shays, finance expert and Fox Business commentatorPeter Schiff, a guest who was an early advocate who warned about border issues, and so many State Senators, State Representatives, town Mayors/First Selectmen, candidates at every level of the political tier and political commentators.  

As Chair for 7 terms, Simone had an excellent attendance record, missing only a few meetings in her tenure. Prior to this she was the committee’s Vice Chair, and Secretary after becoming a member in January 2005.

In personal remarks she said, a much appreciated comment from someone she has great respect for said, “Thank you for 20 years of excellence.”

Chairman Simone remarks: “I would also like to remember the many former committee members who have passed on during my years of service. They were many things. Veterans, engineers, patriots, politicians in different capacities, and good people. They all gave me their support and guidance. I always remember them.”

“It is my hope that whoever the new Chairman becomes for the Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee, the Chair will still put on their monthly agenda members rise and state the Pledge of Allegiance for all of our fine veterans, retired or in active duty.”

{Photo: Spectrum/Charter Studio Winsted, CT “Conservative Chat” set with Juliana Simone; Former U.S. Congressman Robert R. Simmons, Retired Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve, Retired; Martin Gregor, creator of “Conservative Chat” and long-serving BRTC member/patriot, and young volunteer.}

News

Happy New Year to all and a 2025 Town Election Review

January 2026

Written by Juliana Simone

By slim margins, the democrat party pulled out a win for their candidates, who had no experience in prior board or elected positions. Replacing long-serving veterans who have held productive seats as members or as Chairmen for over ten to twenty five years on major boards here in our small town, residents need to wonder why partisan votes were more important than efficient government. Anyone who follows politics knows the answer to this… for democrats, it’s the party over the people. These newly appointed people, including the First Selectwoman, won’t have any understanding of these important boards, having never served in any capacity before.

The reason there are alternate seats on town boards is so they can learn the language, issues, agendas, policies, etc. before taking a full seat when someone retires. 

The entire democrat ticket just elected did not have one candidate who was even an alternate. 

Under First Selectman Nick Lukiwsky (R), his first and only term these past two years, brought down the mill rate by almost 5% for property owners. He also did not raise taxes unlike his democrat predecessor, Don Stein, who raised taxes every year he held office. Mr. Stein found a way to return to the Town Hall by putting himself on the ballot to challenge the current sitting treasurer, a Republican, who did a fine job. Looking at their campaign mailers, for the first time I’ve ever seen and many before me here in town, the treasurer candidate was promoted as if he himself was running for First Selectman. 

There were three races that made a recount eligible by the SOTS office. Two candidates declined. The Democrat who opposed incumbent Mimi Duran for the Board of Education on Regional 7, and current First Selectman, Nick Lukiwsky, who would have challenged his running mate, Mark Mahoney. Robert Brainard III, Chairman of the Board of Assessment Appeals, who lost by only 11 votes, did accept the recount but only gained two votes in the end. 

On the BOE elementary school, we kept a newly appointed seat and on the BOE Regional 7, we kept our incumbent in her seat. A failure I personally had nothing to do with, was our RTC campaign mailer not even including our veteran board members as candidates. As Chairman, I was not sent the final draft before printing. Obviously, I would have asked where our other board members were and would have made sure they were included. Bringing in new people to a committee is a good thing in that groups need to grow, but to give these new members important decisions over officers who have been in the trenches a long time, is not a good idea.

With this behind us, we look forward to the new challenge in 2027, as our town residents see the difference between experienced board members and inexperienced electees by party affiliation only.