Lamont’s hunt for Hispanic state party chair concludes with Danbury’s Alves, raising identity politics uproar.

Brazil is not a Hispanic country but is Latino. Portugal is neither Hispanic nor Latino. The Thanksgiving tutorial became necessary Wednesday as Governor Ned Lamont began telling Democratic party organization regulars that he has chosen Roberto Alves, first term mayor of Danbury, as the party’s next chairman.

Alves is the child of a Portuguese father and Brazilian mother. Portuguese, not Spanish, is the language of Brazil. Hispanic Connecticut Democrats have long felt overlooked by their party. They hold none of the big prizes statewide office in government or the party.

A holiday revolt among the 72 members of the state party committee was forming Wednesday as Lamont’s chief of staff Matthew Brokman (this year’s Working Families Party campaign pinup) made calls announcing plan to replace outgoing party stalwart Nancy DiNardo with Alves.

The job could give Alves a head start for a spot on the state ticket should an opening occur. This has also roiled ambitious Hispanic Democrats.

Lamont’s interest in naming the next party chair has sent augur observers into a frenzy of speculation that the Greenwich Democrat may be preparing to seek a third term and mount a fifth self-financed state campaign.

Published November 27, 2024.