Dr. Appleby said he has hasn't decided yet whether he would seek to force a September primary for the nomination if he fails to get the party endorsement at the caucus.
First Selectman Robert Silvaggi, a registered Republican who was elected as a petitioning candidate two years ago, has not announced whether he will seek a second term.
He said some months ago that he would not seek the Republican nomination but would consider another run as an independent candidate.
Dr. Appleby has participated in several volunteer projects in town and served for six years on the Board of Assessment Appeals and for four years on the Republican Town Committee.
He was a supporter in the late 1990s and early portion of this decade of former First Selectman Martin Foncello, who held the town's top elected position for four years.
Dr. Appleby said that former First Selectman Jerry Murphy was helpful in his efforts to build some homes in Brookfield.
He said that he has built about 12 homes in the town since the 1980s.
In a two-page news release, Dr. Appleby, who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, stated that, as a small business owner, having been involved in farming in Brookfield for 23 years, he "knows firsthand how difficult, frustrating and expensive it can be to do business in Brookfield.
"He understands the tough financial situation confronting families, business and government" in the town, he wrote.
Dr. Appleby said that public health and safety would be priorities.
In a phone interview, he declined to discuss specific proposals but said that he would provide more details about his plans in the coming weeks.
"I want to keep this positive, because I like Bill Tinsley and [Republican Vacancy Committee Chairman] Larry Miller," Dr. Appleby said. "I don't think that there needs to be a lot of bickering in town."
"I got into this after I received a lot of e-mail messages and phone calls from people who wanted me to consider running," he said.
"Right now I'm up and running, and I want to listen to the people to hear what they think about the issues," Dr. Appleby said.
"I would have liked to see him go through the process," Republican Town Committee Chairman Martin Flynn said regarding Dr. Appleby's entry into the race after the GOP Vacancy Committee conducted interviews in May and early June and the town committee endorsed a slate of candidates.
The Vacancy Committee had endorsed Mr. Murphy, who now holds one of the two lower seats on the Board of Selectmen, for first selectman, a post that he had held from late 2003 to late 2007.
However, the Republican Town Committee opted to endorse Mr. Tinsley, who is in his sixth year on the finance board and formerly served as the vice chairman of the Board of Education.
Mr. Tinsley has assembled a campaign team in the recent months, a step that Mr. Murphy had not taken.
Last week, Mr. Murphy announced that he was withdrawing from the race and would support Mr. Tinsley.
Mr. Tinsley said that he "always anticipated a challenge" for the nomination and that his forces are well prepared for the caucus and a possible primary in September.
He said that 35 people attended a campaign meeting Tuesday night to get prepared for the election.
Mr. Flynn said that Republican Town Committee is embarking on a campaign that will include phone calls, e-mail messages and personal letters to get its slate of candidates nominated at the caucus.
Steve O'Reilly, an eight-year member of the finance board, is running for one of the lower seats on the three-member Board of Selectmen.
Dr. Appleby has a bachelor's degree in French from Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania.
During his medical career, he has practiced at the Danbury and Norwalk hospitals, specializing in delivering healthy babies and performing women's surgery.
Dr. Appleby has been a guest instructor for the Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company's emergency medical technician classes and an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 135.
He stated in his news release that he has been a strong supporter of the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut.
William Davidson, a former selectman and former chairman of the finance board, is running for the Democratic nomination for first selectman.
Mr. Davidson, who currently serves as the chairman of the Lake Lillinonah Authority, is expected to get the Democratic Town Committee's endorsement Thursday night when it announced its slate of candidates.
Finance board member Howard Lasser is seeking the Democratic nomination for one of the two lower selectmen's seats.
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