The small Connecticut town has only about 5,000 residents, but it is getting big-time attention from top Democrats in the normally low-key battle for first selectman.
A Who’s Who of Connecticut Democrats has traveled to of East Granby near Bradley International Airport to help a political newcomer named Jason P. Hayes, who is running against two-term incumbent Republican Eden Wimpfheimer in a town that has consistently been dominated by Republicans in the state legislature.
Hayes has been campaigning with some of the biggest names in the state Democratic Party: U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin, and state Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, who is running for Congress against Bronin and U.S. Rep. John B. Larson in a 27-town district that includes East Granby. Democrats believe they have a strong shot at flipping the seat in the tiny Hartford suburb.
Republican first selectwoman Eden Timpfheimer is battling against Democrat Jason P. Hayes in the November 4 election as they seek the top spot at East Granby town hall. (Don Stacom/The Hartford Courant)
Hayes told The Courant in an interview that he tells voters of his opposition to President Donald J. Trump and has not taken down any of his social media posts as he opposes the Make America Great Again movement.
“I’m not MAGA. I’m not Trump,” Hayes said in an interview. “If you’re shocked that the gay Democratic candidate doesn’t support MAGA, one of us is delusional, and I don’t think it’s me. I’m not apologizing.”
Hayes, 55, is an unlikely player in East Granby as a first-time candidate who lived in New York City and New Jersey before moving to the small town with his husband six years ago.
A celebrity wig and hair designer for the past 30 years, Hayes spent much of his time in New York City and worked for 10 years on the hair and makeup for Radio City Music Hall’s annual Christmas show.
He has negotiated contracts with major corporations like CBS, NBC, Netflix, Procter & Gamble, and Madison Square Garden Enterprises. He worked with famed author and playwright Harvey Fierstein on Broadway and has worked with famous actresses like Angelica Huston, Megan Fox, and Cate Blanchett. His long resume also includes “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock,” among others.
He describes himself as “an old hippie at heart,” and he admits that running for office was “not on my bingo card.”
But after moving to East Granby with his husband of 27 years, Keith, he became more and more involved in the community as the years went on. Instead of complaining and delivering criticism from the sidelines, he now wants the top spot at town hall. He is concerned about rising taxes, municipal transparency, sewer costs, and stopping mega-warehouses that are common in areas near the airport in Windsor Locks.
East Granby first selectman candidate Jason Hayes spent 10 years doing the hair and makeup at Radio City Music Hall’s annual Christmas show in midtown Manhattan. The show has been playing since 1933.
Incumbent running on record
Hayes is running against Wimpfheimer, who won her last race in 2023 with 53% of the vote.
“Over the past two terms, we have made incredible progress together — revitalizing our infrastructure, supporting local business growth, and making East Granby a place more people are proud to call home,” Wimpfheimer said on social media. “We have modernized government, attracted families and businesses, and tackled big challenges head-on.”
Wimpfheimer touts her record in campaign literature, including an increase in the grand list every year since 2022.
“We are making smart and fiscally responsible decisions at town hall,” she wrote. “We have secured over $5 million in grants for East Granby. Our local police department is safer and stronger than ever. Our local fire department is rebuilt and respected.”
In an interview, Wimpfheimer said she hired a new town manager, completed an affordable housing plan, and created a resource officer position to have a police presence in the schools.
“I feel like I really need a third term,” said Wimpfheimer, 54, who grew up in Windsor Locks and has now lived half her life — 27 years — in East Granby.
The two candidates have battled over local issues in clashes that are sometimes personal.
“He doesn’t like me,” Wimpfheimer said of Hayes. “My motto is: ‘I don’t knock my opponent. I knock him out.’ I have nothing to say about him. I don’t post on social media. … I’ve got a town to run. … I sleep like a baby at night because I know I’m doing the right thing, but when there is misinformation out there is when I will post the truth. I don’t go on there [on social media] spending time commenting and complaining about anything. I never did. I never will.”
Concerning the hot local issue of a proposed warehouse on 130 acres on Rainbow Road not far from town hall and less than two miles from the airport, Wimpfheimer said, “It’s not my decision. It’s planning and zoning’s decision. The zoning regs have allowed for them since 2004 and earlier, and that was long before I was here. We have elected officials on planning and zoning that vote on it. I don’t take a side at all. … I don’t have an opinion either way.”
With real estate and personal property taxes, the warehouse could generate $2 million per year in taxes, she said.
“But no one wants to hear that,” she said. “These are just the facts. Again, I don’t allow for them. Our zoning regs allow for them.”
In the same fashion, Wimpfheimer said little when asked if, as an elected Republican official, she has any views on Trump.
“No, I focus on local government,” Wimpfheimer responded. “No comment on Trump. He’s our president. I don’t know. He’s our president. I don’t know what to say.”
East Granby’s first selectman, Eden Wimpfheimer, is running as a Republican in November but declined to comment on President Donald Trump. He is seen in the Oval Office at the White House on October 21. (Associated Press Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
But Hayes, who has the backing of prominent Democrats, said more work needs to be done in the coming years.
“We have serious issues to work on in East Granby,” Hayes says on his campaign website. “An unfair and unsustainable reliance on overburdened homeowners paying an absurd portion toward our tax base. No substantial town plan to protect East Granby from becoming an industrial airport border.”
Showing energy and enthusiasm that has been cited by fellow Democrats, Hayes says he has knocked on 2,200 doors in a town with 2,300 homes.
“He doesn’t come across as a typical East Granby candidate — be it a Democrat or a Republican,” former state Rep. David Alexander of Enfield told The Courant. “I think he is benefitting from that because the electorate nationwide seems to be interested in supporting candidates that don’t come across as typical politicians. He confidently shows up at doors wearing his leather motorcycle jacket and brown boots and jeans.”
Voting history
East Granby has a mixed voting history between the political parties. While Republicans have controlled the first selectman’s office for the past four years, Democrats held power for more than 25 years under the previous first selectmen, James Hayden and David Kilbon.
In the state legislature, Republican Sen. John Kissel of Enfield, a veteran at the state Capitol for more than 30 years, represents the multi-town district that includes East Granby. In addition, Republican Tami Zawistowski has represented the district since 2014.
At the same time, Democrats have prevailed in the past three presidential elections as East Granby voters chose Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris over Trump.
On the campaign trail with Murphy standing by his side, Hayes delivered a fiery speech at an event on how he would battle Republicans.
“Instead of fighting them and holding them accountable, I’m just going to take their job,” Hayes told the enthusiastic crowd.
Bronin, who is running for Congress in the district that includes East Granby, said that Hayes has shown plenty of energy on the campaign trail.
Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin talks with the media at Parkville Market in Hartford about his announcement to challenge U.S. Rep. John Larson in a Democratic primary for Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)
“Conventional wisdom says he should skip the Republican doors … but he isn’t,” Bronin said of Hayes on social media. “He wants to go everywhere, friendly and unfriendly territory alike. And it’s working. That’s the kind of relentlessness, fearlessness, and message Democrats need to have if we’re gonna win this November, win back the House next November, and take back this country in 2028.”
Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com