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By Ben Lewis

As a Republican candidate for West Hartford Town Council, I’ve always believed our town is a place where diverse ideas can coexist. But Friday afternoon, while having lunch at a local coffee shop with my friend and fellow Republican Ari Schaffer, I witnessed firsthand the toxic consequences of division and hate. What should have been a simple meeting turned into an awful encounter that shook my sense of our community’s core values.

As Ari and I discussed our vision for West Hartford, a man overheard that we are Republicans. Without warning, he unleashed into profanity and insults. Most disturbingly, as seen in a video that has since circulated widely (2M+ Views), he spat on the floor in a clear act of antisemitism toward Ari, who was wearing a yarmulke. This act, rooted in hate, was a gut punch to us both. We tried repeatedly to deescalate, offering to engage in civil conversation, but he refused.

This wasn’t just a personal attack, it was a frontline encounter with the consequences of years of violent rhetoric and misinformation from the Democrat Party. This attack, directed at our political beliefs and our Jewish identity, reflects a broader poison seeping into American society. Antisemitism, once rightly condemned, is creeping into the mainstream, fueled by identity politics and unchecked hate. As a West Hartford resident, I’m heartbroken to see this in our town, which prides itself on inclusivity and neighborly respect.

This incident underscores a truth we must face, violent rhetoric has no place in politics. Our nation thrives on differing beliefs, and West Hartford should be a model of that ideal. But when hate disrupts a simple lunch, it’s a wake up call. We cannot let misinformation divide us or allow prejudice to fester.

I call on my fellow residents to reject this toxicity. Let’s love our neighbors, engage in honest dialogue, and rebuild the civility that defines West Hartford. As a candidate, I’m committed to making our town better than ever: safer, stronger, and united. Let this moment be a turning point, and not definitive of West Hartford.  

VOTE LEWIS!

Ben Lewis is a Candidate for West Hartford Town Council.

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