Fear Takes a Holiday. A Trumbull Republican Tells the Story.

At last, a Trumbull Republican tells her story. Cindy Penkoff pens a powerful letter for the Trumbull Times. It’s an unvarnished reckoning of Republican Tim Herbst’s vengeful tenure as first selectman. Penkoff, who writes that she was once Herbst’s friends, observes, “The similarities to [Governor Dannel P.] Malloy are glaring.”

The letter deserves a close reading. Here are two chilling paragraphs:

I am a former alternate member of the Board of Finance, appointed by First Selectman Herbst, and a former elected member of the Town Council who ran on his ticket. I’ve worked with Herbst on town issues as a board and commission member and, at one time, was a friend to him. I can say unequivocally that he is not prepared to run a $20 billion-plus enterprise called the State of Connecticut. He does not have the vision or the emotional maturity to lead 3.5 million people to prosperity.

From his dictatorial management style, to questionable financial decisions and land deals. His temper when it comes to criticism from friend and foe. And his vindictive moral, ethical and questionable legal tactics when it comes to contacting employers of dissidents, otherwise known as the bully factor, does not make me feel comfortable giving him that level of authority.

Republicans vote in their party primary a week from today. The race for governor features no clear frontrunner.