I've spent the last several years toiling away at State and City-level politics, and in the words of Doctor Mcoy: "She's dead, Jim"
From what I've seen, I don't think the Republican Party in CT is effective, and I feel terrible for the (very) few patriots who are still fighting the good fight. I just can't do it any more.
There is a time when you must give up your current position for a better defensed position - dammit, the Marxists are in the wire.
Not unlike most New England state GOP parties. In NY is basically used for patronage jobs, serve on a committee, get a judgeship, county job etc.