Clinton Republican Town Committee (RTC) Chair Brendan Saunders died unexpectedly on April 8. A GoFundMe has been set up by his family.

Saunders was a popular voice in area politics. Though he was a Clinton resident as an adult, he grew up in the neighboring town of Westbrook. In Clinton he served as an alternate on the Planning and Zoning Commission, was a member of the Clinton Human Rights Committee, and had been the chairman of the Clinton RTC since 2021. In 2020 he unsuccessfully ran for state senator in the 33rd district.

A GoFundMe account has been created to help the Saunders family pay for his daughter Jorden’s educational expenses. As of press time, the account has raised over $19,000 from 123 donations. Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/brendan-saunders.

Saunders was well-known and well-liked for his work outside of politics, as well. Professionally, Saunders was the director of sales and marketing for Waterford Hotel Group but was perhaps best known as an ordained minister and as a founding member of the founding pastor of Lighthouse Community Church in Westbrook. Saunders also had a popular podcast and YouTube series called Fusion with Brendan Saunders.

In a statement on GoFundMe, Saunders is described as a “charismatic leader in his community and state.”

“Sorry to resort to cliché, but in Brendan’s case, it’s true: his personality, his laugh, and his smile filled a room; he was both succinct and eloquent in his words. He was, in a word, a gentleman,” The statement continued.

Joe Alves, the vice chairman of the Clinton RTC, recalled that Saunders “never took himself too seriously and had a great sense of humor” and that people were naturally drawn to such a good-natured person.

“He was quite a guy. It’s a real loss to the community. He was a force in the senatorial district,” Alves said.

“He was a man of faith, his family, and loved the Republican party,” Alves continued.

Alves said that the RTC will hold a meeting on Thursday, April 27, at which point a vote will be taken on who will be the new RTC chairman.

Calling hours for Saunders will be held Saturday, April 29, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main Street, Clinton. A memorial service will follow.