How can the Connecticut Republican Party ever expect to have the broad appeal necessary to win state elections or gain power in the legislature if it rewards people like Mary Ann Turner who condemn people like state Rep. Devin Carney of the 23rd District?

State Republican leaders chose Turner, long active in Republican politics in Enfield and someone firmly entrenched in the Trump wing of the party, to fill the position as vice chair of the State Central Committee.

With the earlier selection of Susan Hatfield, former vice chair, to finish the two-year term of the party’s former chairman, J.R. Romano, it suggests the Trump faction is dominant. And given how the former president was crushed in the November election in Connecticut, dragging down the party with him, it does not bode well for the prospects of any Republican resurgence.

Turner attended the infamous Jan. 6 rally in Washington, which led to the assault on the U.S. Capitol in an effort to block the recording of the electoral college vote making Joe Biden president. (She was not involved in that.)

Carney, whose district consists of Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, knew exactly what happened and who was primarily responsible. President Trump’s baseless claims of a fraudulent election had so stirred up some of his supporters that they attempted an insurrection.

"I am extremely saddened at what is occurring as a result of false claims and incitement by the president," wrote Carney at the time on Facebook, reacting to the attack of the Capitol.

For this, Turner called for his resignation.

“Obviously you are drinking the koolaid. I am coming home from the rally and it was peaceful. You should be praying for what little of America is left. Give up yr (sic) seat because you have proven you are easily manipulated,” she responded on Carney’s Facebook page.

Turner has since backtracked and apologized for the remark, saying she wasn’t aware of the severity of what happened at the Capitol. But that initial reaction, certainly, was the more telling account of her perspective.

Carney, who is fiscally conservative and strongly pro-business, but who will not set aside his ethics for blind loyalty, is the kind of Republican who can win in Connecticut. Maybe Republicans don’t want to win.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.