In a press release on Friday, Greenwich Democrats announced plans for a news conference on Monday at 10:00am when they will announce candidates seeking endorsement from their party to run for top leadership positions the November municipal elections.
The press conference will take place on the front steps of Town Hall at 101 Field Point Road.
Positions on the ballot in November municipal election include First Selectman, Selectmen, Town Clerk, Board of Education, Board of Estimate and Taxation and Representative Town Meeting.
According to the Democrats’ release, the slate reflects the recommendations of the Greenwich DTC’s Nominating Committee. By state law, the DTC will hold its nominating convention at its July 16th meeting to endorse candidates.
“Together, these candidates will outline plans to make local government more responsive to the needs of residents—while maintaining some of the lowest tax rates in Connecticut,” Democrats said in their release.
“With fresh ideas and deep commitment to public service, these candidates are ready to challenge the status quo and build a more forward-looking Greenwich.”
Over the weekend, sources who participated in the Democratic nominating committee’s process said that the recommended candidate for First Selectman will be RTM member Anthony Moor, and the recommended candidate for Select Person will be former State Representative for the 149th district, Rachel Khanna.
Anthony Moor addressed the Democrats at the Old Greenwich Social Club. Nov 7, 2023 photo: Leslie Yager
Mr. Moor moved to Greenwich in 2020. He won a spot on the RTM for D7 in 2021 and is serving his second term.
While on the RTM he co-authored a bi-partisan LTE about issues with the state affordable housing statute 8-30g in 2022, and advocated for funding for a new Central Middle School.
He was voted vice chair of Transportation Committee in his first term and voted in as chair in 2024.
In recent years he became part of the DTC’s leadership including roles on the nominating committee.
An avid cyclist, Moor has been art of the Pedal Greenwich leadership and co chair of Greenwich’s Active Transportation Task Force. He currently chairs the Transportation Committee of the RTM.
Moor had an extensive journalism career, starting out in television news. According to his bio he worked for ABC News bureau in Japan after graduating from Williams College, and soon anchored an English-language newscast for Japanese TV, where he occasionally freelanced for CNN.
In the 2000s, he experimented with new ways of creating content and doing journalism as editor-in-chief of several metro news websites including Rochester’s Democrat and Chronicle. His OrlandoSentinel.com won awards including the Knight-Batten Award for Innovation. Also, under his leadership, The Dallas Morning News digital edition was honored with RTNDA’s Edward R. Murrow Award as best non-broadcast website.
Neither Mr. Moor nor Ms Khanna provided comment ahead of the Monday news conference.
However, former BET and RTM member Miriam Kreuzer said she has known Moor for several years going back to her years on the BET and then the RTM where she was a member of D7 as is Moor.
“Anthony is as sharp as a tack – he gets the issues that frustrate Greenwich residents and he genuinely wants to do something about them,” Kreuzer said. “He has transformed the RTM Transportation Committee into one of action and taken on issues such as traffic, congestion and safety.”
“Not only is he organized and diligent, but he is also incredibly personable and an attentive listener. He just really gets what makes Greenwich so wonderful and how to ensure our Town doesn’t fall into disrepair over petty politics and inflated egos.”
Of Mr. Moor, current RTM member and Budget Overview Committee chair James Waters said, “I’ve enjoyed working with Anthony during our service on the RTM, where he’s shown a knack for both listening and bringing people together to solve tough issues. I look forward to hearing more about his vision for the town in the coming months.”
Anthony Moor emceed the Pedal Greenwich’s community bike fest in Old Greenwich. Sept 25, 2021 Photo: Leslie Yager
Rachel Khanna is a familiar face, having defeated Kim Fiorello for State Representative in the 149th House District in 2022. She served until 2024 when she lost the seat to newcomer Tina Courpas.
Since then, Ms Khanna has remained a visible presence in town, coordinating a series of community conversations at the YWCA Greenwich that she emceed, including with CT Attorney General William Tong, State Treasurer Erick Russell, State Comptroller Sean Scanlon and Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas.
A triathlete, Khanna has participated in local events including the Abilis 5K run/walk and the YWCA’s “Walk the Walk” against domestic violence.
State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151) said in the two years he worked with Khanna in Hartford, she was organized to a fault.
“When it comes to attention to detail, there is no one better,” Arzeno said.
When she was on the Transportation Committee she worked so hard to get the grant for the Glenville corridor project,” he added. “I can testify how hard she worked to obtain that grant and for the cost of the new Central Middle School and the higher reimbursement that we obtained from the state.”
Republicans have not announced recommended candidates. In 2021 and 2023 First Selectman Fred Camillo and his running mate Lauren Rabin announced their candidacies for re-election in the first week of May.
State Rep Rachel Khanna (D-149) and Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan participate in the YWCA Greenwich “Walk the Walk” against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
