Connor Deane. Contributed photo.
Orange native Connor Deane announced today that he will seek the nomination of the Orange Democrats for the town’s first selectman.
“For nearly thirty years, Orange has been my home. This town has instilled in me the value of hard work, the power of community and the need to give back. That’s why I’m running for first selectman,” Deane said.
Deane moved to the town when he was 4 with his parents, Tim and Elizabeth Deane. He attended Turkey Hill School and the Amity schools along with his younger siblings, Murphy and Mac. His late grandparents on his mother’s side, Eileen and Bill Ferguson, raised five children in town, and most notably started one of Connecticut’s first hockey stores, All-Sports. Many of his family members still reside in Orange.
After graduating from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Deane founded Broadway Method Academy, a nonprofit musical theater training program for young artists. He currently serves as the organization’s executive director, which is partnered with the famed Westport Country Playhouse.
“As a small business owner, I bring perseverance, grit and leadership skills,” Deane said.
“My first introduction to Connor Deane was also my first introduction to Amity theater, when I attended the Amity production of Les Misérables,” said Jody Dietch, Chair of the Orange Democratic Town Committee. “Years later, our paths would cross again as Connor reached out to me about running for office. It was then that I learned his mom is Beth Ferguson, and his uncles and I all attended school together from Race Brook School through Amity.”
Dietch, who has previously run unsuccessfully for first selectman, said she was proud to support Deane’s candidacy.
First Selectman Jim Zeoli, a Republican who plans to run for the position again in November, in a Facebook post congratulated Deane on his announcement, saying he looks forward “to a good campaign.”
Deane said he’s excited to bring his ideas to the table and get the chance to meet with Orange voters. “Orange has been an anchor in my life. I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to give back.”
Democrats will hold their caucus to choose a candidate in July.