Stonington -- The Republican Town Committee has announced that its members have unanimously approved a resolution that asks state Republican Party Chairman J.R. Romano to step down in the wake of the controversy surrounding former 2nd District congressional candidate Thomas Gilmer.

Gilmer had been endorsed by the party in May to challenge incumbent Democrat Joe Courtney, despite party leaders being aware of a video of him in a violent altercation with his girlfriend in 2017. 

In a recount that ended last week, Justin Anderson narrowly defeated Gilmer in a primary to become the Republican nominee for the seat.   

"For Romano to have not properly vetted Thomas Gilmer as a candidate, and subsequently learn about the vicious and brutal attacks on Gilmer's former girlfriend, and still endorse him at the party convention is unconscionable. Romano needs to resign," said town committee member and former 2nd District congressman Rob Simmons.

Stonington police detective Greg Howard, who is running for the state representative seat from the 43rd District, added, "The last thing the Connecticut Republican Party needs is a Chairman who knowingly promotes candidates with histories of domestic violence. As a police detective, I've seen the long-lasting damage domestic violence does to families and communities, and to have our Chairman turn a blind eye to it is shameful."