Candidates addressing the crowd at Monday’s Republican Town Committee meeting stressed the need to revitalize the state’s economy, to work toward lowering its debt and to overhaul the legislature in Hartford.
Republican candidates seeking election this year for governor, 2nd House District representative, regional probate judge, as well as a U.S. Senate, representative spoke to more than 30 people at the meeting at town hall. The 10 candidates detailed their backgrounds, which ranged from acting lieutenant governor to former New York City firefighter, as well as their goals for office. Audience members, including state Rep. John Stripp (R-135th), who is not seeking re-election, and state Senator Toni Boucher (R-26th), asked questions of the hopefuls concerning their experience and views.
Many candidates stated their desire to completely change how state government functions in Hartford, as well as to fix its crippling debt and lagging economy.
Governor
Four candidates at the meeting are setting up exploratory committees for the gubernatorial race: Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, former Congressman Larry DeNardis and businessman Oz Griebel.
Before his appointment by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Lt. Gov. Fedele served as a member of Stamford’s Board of Representatives and later represented the city in the 147th House District. He is also the founder and CEO of the IT firm Pinnacle Group. Lt. Gov. Fedele said in his state post, he’s traveled the world to promote business growth in Connecticut. He is the only candidate who can offer a strong background in both the private ad public sectors, he said.
“We need someone who can meet budgets, cut spending, make sure taxes don’t rise, and someone who can say No,” Mr. Fedele said.
Mr. Boughton, a former state representative, is currently in his fifth term as Danbury mayor. He stressed the need to revitalize the state’s economic development plan, redesign state government and rethink the future of state government.
“Our state government doesn’t seem like it’s our partner,” he said. “It seems like it’s our adversary.”
Mr. DeNardis served one term as a congressman and is a former Connecticut state senator. He was also president of the University of New Haven for 13 years. He has experience winning heavily Democratic districts, he said.
“This is a good year for us, but it’s not a sure thing,” Mr. DeNardis said of Republicans. “We are a blue state.”
Mr. DeNardis also explained how the state’s economic outlook is getting bleaker. “We’ve had major industry that carried us through the 19th and 20th centuries, but there’s no major industry to carry us into the 21st,” he said.
Oz Griebel, a businessman who became CEO of BankBoston’s Connecticut franchise, served on the boards of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association and the Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board. He discussed “thinking big, speaking candidly and acting decisively” and the importance of helping citizens get involved in the legislative process.
“The governor of the state has to keep people like you engaged,” he told the crowd. “The governor has to go out and advocate and sell.”
U.S. Senate
Only one candidate for U.S. Senate, Vinny Forras, attended the meeting. Mr. Forras is a businessman with a research and manufacturing background who has run Chase Scientific Research and The Phoenix Group. He is also a former New York City volunteer firefighter called to duty on Sept. 11, 2001.
“I have the experience of someone who reacts in an emergency,” Mr. Forras said. “I believe our country is in as big an emergency as 9/11 right now.”
Mr. Forras described himself as the only conservative candidate running in his race.
2nd House District
Both Melanie O’Brien, a Bethel attorney, and Dan Carter, a health care industry representative, have thrown their hats in the ring for Democratic Rep. Jason Bartlett’s seat in the 2nd House District.
Mr. Carter of Bethel, a former Redding resident, was a member of a Redding volunteer fire department and the Park and Recreation Commission. He said he’s seen opportunities disappear in Connecticut since he moved here with his family more than 10 years ago.
“Eleven years ago we found that Connecticut had the most opportunities,” Mr. Carter said. “What’s happened over the last decade? We’ve seen these opportunities erode.”
He asked for the audience’s support and involvement in helping him win. “I have a commitment to make sure this is Jason Bartlett’s last term,” Mr. Carter said.
Melanie O’Brien detailed for the crowd her career as an attorney and involvement as director of Bethel’s Visiting Nurse Association and with the town’s school board. She said the state needs to help businesses thrive in their home region.
“It doesn’t help Connecticut’s economy to be listed as one of the least friendly states to do businesses in,” she said.
Ms. O’Brien said the campaign for Mr. Bartlett’s seat will be a ground war for the towns in the district — Bethel, Danbury and Redding. “I know the district and I know the issues,” she said.
Probate Court
Three candidates presented cases for why they should be elected to the new regional probate judge position. Beginning in 2011, probate court districts will be consolidated from 117 statewide to 54. The new local district is comprised of Redding, Ridgefield, Newtown and Bethel.
It was confirmed at the meeting Monday that Redding Probate Judge Richard Emerson is retiring and will not run for the regional position.
Joseph Egan, Ridgefield’s probate judge since 1990, said the post is not a political position, but to serve in it, one has to get elected.
Probate judge is a serious job, Mr. Egan said, and his “judgment, qualifications and experience” are all advantages.
Bethel’s probate judge Daniel O’Grady has also served in his town for 20 years. Mr. O’Grady detailed for the audience complicated cases, including one involving a Stradivarius violin, he’s presided over as probate judge. He said he has much experience dealing with family and municipal law.
“My opponents do not have the same breadth of experience I can bring,” Mr. O’Grady said.
Moira Rodgers, Newtown’s probate judge since November 2009, said she’s used to dealing with the heavy workload that will be required of the regional probate judge. Her town has 40% more work than Ridgefield and 60% more than Bethel, she said. She also said if elected, she will not divide her time by practicing law outside the probate court in private practice. Ms. Rodgers said she will bring “dedication” and “competence” to the position.
