08/02/10 BREAKING NEWS: Hearst Newspapers Chooses Stamford Resident Michael Fedele Over Greenwich Resident Tom Foley In Republican Primary For Gov

CT Post Says Tom Foley "Brings Some Unpleasant Baggage To The Race"

Photo: Republican gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele

Connecticut Post Says Fedele The Choice Among Republicans

Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele has the combination of government and business experience that, given the chance to serve in the No. 1 seat, would be good for the state of Connecticut.

The Connecticut Post endorses his candidacy in the Aug. 10 Republican three-way primary.

The 55-yearold Fedele brings 10 years of legislative experience, serving in the state House of Representatives from 1992 to 2002, and three years in his current position.

But Fedele is also a self-made businessman and understands that job creation is the top challenge to the state.

Fedele understands in no uncertain terms that improving the atmosphere in Connecticut for small business is essential to turning around the state's economy.

His stand against any new taxes speaks to his understanding of the situation.

We compliment him for his position.

Given his experience, Fedele is confident solutions to the state's problems of spending and borrowing can be resolved through good management, and not through new taxes.Though Fedele has been part of the Rell administration ... well, that in some respects sums it up.

It was indeed the Rell administration, and if anyone can name a Connecticut lieutenant governor who shaped policy from that office, we'd be curious to know who it was.

Fedele rightly says he can be held accountable only for those areas in which he had authority.

He's been an effective ambassador for the state, recruiting business and reaching out to the Henkel Corporation, manufacturer of Loctite adhesive products and successfully encouraging them to consolidate operations in Rocky Hill.

Fedele also figured in the move of Columbia Elevators from New York to Bridgeport.

We also applaud Oz Griebel, another candidate in the GOP primary, for his passion and clear commitment to improving the business climate in the state.

And Tom Foley brings a business background as well. But he also brings some unpleasant baggage to the race.

But Fedele earns our endorsement. We believe he's the best of the three choices to lead the state.

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08/01/10 CT PRIMARY CANDIDATE ROUNDUPS: State Comptroller

Photo: Kevin Lembo On The Campaign trail

Lembo And Jarjura Battle In The Democratic State Comptroller Primary

A week from Tuesday, Aug. 10, registered Democrats will go to the polls to narrow the field in a number of contested races, but even after that, there are so many contenders in so many races that it's really hard to keep track.

People shouldn't complain about their elected representatives if they don't at least cast an educated ballot first.

Do a little homework first. Visit the candidates' websites and study their positions on issues that you care about.

The battle to be comptroller, is very important given the state's nearly $3 billion deficit.

Many wonder why this seat is contested in such hard times. One would think that it would be more fun to be the money person when the state is flush rather than broke. But this hasn't deterred Democrats Kevin Lembo and Michael Jarjura from battling for the democratic nod.

The winner of that race will face Republican Jack Orchulli and Green candidate Colin Bennett.

Democrat Kevin Lembo, who served as assistant state comptroller to Nancy Wyman, is the party-endorsed candidate running against Michael Jarjura for the state comptroller seat.

Lembo is nationally recognized for his expertise in health care systems and consumer protection, according to his campaign website. He currently leads the Office of the Healthcare Advocate for the state. He lives in Guilford with his wife; they have three children.

Today the Harwinton Democratic Town Committee is hosting a meet and greet so voters can meet candidates. The event will be held at the Harwinton Senior Center, 209 Weingart Road, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Mr. Lembo has confirmed that he will attend.

Mike Jarjura is the mayor of Waterbury. He worked as a state representative in the 1990s and as an assistant attorney general. He has a B.S. in management from Post College and a J.D. from the University of Bridgeport School of Law.

This weekenday, with Waterbury Mayor Jarjura was on the ropes after Lembo came out with three body blows.

First, a YouTube video surfaced of the Democrat speaking at a Tea Party rally.

"We needed a spark, and you're the spark that is going to be the change. So don't give up. Don't get discouraged because this country is worth fighting for and you're fighting for it," Jarjura said at the rally in Waterbury last September.

Jarjura, a Democrat, defended his attendance at the ultra-conservative rally.

Jarjura claimed he was there at the request of Waterbury citizens and he wasn't there to advocate for any political group," he said. "Every one is trying to do a 'gotcha' in these campaigns and manipulate things to something you don't even represent."

Lembo isn't buying it.

"It's an odd choice for a Democratic mayor to be attending a Tea Party rally," he told the press.

The second blow to Jarjura's campaign was the Waterbury teachers union endorsing Lembo, following the lead one week ago of the local police union.

Jarjura's response: it's backlash from the tough contract negotiations between the city and the unions as a result of the tight economy.

Finally, Lembo launched a television advertisement attacking Jarjura for hiring former Gov. John Rowland, a Republican forced to resign by a corruption scandal.

"Jarjura hired Rowland to a $100,000 dollar a year job after he got out of prison -- calling him the best governor Connecticut has ever had," the 30-second advertisement says.

Jarjura backed the hiring of John Rowland, the disgraced former Republican governor, in an economic development job partly funded with city money.

Jarjura has responded with mailings touting his negative web site, called Lembo Lies, and filed a lawsuit attempting to block Lembo's ability to spend public financing money.

Jarjura's mailer to registered Democrats, accusing Lembo of being a secret conservative. The mailer directed Democrats to a web site created by Jarjura's campaign.

“Some of my opponents’ claims are just bizarre. But let me be clear – I have never ever lied to the people of Connecticut or distorted my record," Lembo said.

The Lembo campaign responded by saying that Jarjura is a cultural conservative who opposes abortion rights.

A Superior Court judge Tuesday rejected Michael Jarjura's effort to block Kevin Lembo from using public financing in their Democratic contest for state comptroller.

The terse order by Judge James T. Graham frees Lembo to begin spending the $375,000 awarded to him last week for his Aug. 10 primary with Jarjura, the mayor of Waterbury.

Jarjura, who also has received $375,000 in public financing.

This legal challenge is the second of two attempts by Jarjura to deny public financing to Lembo.

08/01/10 2010 ELECTIONS - CT CANDIDATE ROUNDUPS: Secretary of the State (Jerry Farrell Jr, Gerry Garcia, Denise Merrill

Photo: Connecticut Republican Candidate Secretary Of State

Jerry Farrell Jr

Even the politically astute of Connecticut have got to be preparing scratch sheets to keep track of who is running for what this political season.

It is a tough job to try and keep track, but it is a job that needs to be done.

People shouldn't complain about their elected representatives if they don't at least cast an educated ballot first.

Do a little homework first. Visit the candidates' websites and study their positions on issues that you care about.

Not sure who is running? Then go to the secretary of the state's website (ctgov.org will get you started) and find out the candidate's names, political parties and offices that they are seeking.

Speaking of the secretary of state, did you know that Gerry Garcia (yes, that's really his name) could get bumped in next week's primaries in his bid to be Connecticut's new secretary of the state?

The Democrat is vying for the seat against party endorsed candidate Denise Merrill in what will be a three-way race Nov. 2 pitting either Garcia or Merrill against Republican Jerry Farrell Jr. and Green Party contender S. Michael DeRosa.

It's an important job, overseeing the state's elections, so we'd all do ourselves a favor by brushing up on the candidates' qualifications and platforms so we can make informed decisions come November.

Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr, nominated at convention for Secretary of State, reiterated the calls for fiscal conservatism, even through the Secretary of State's office.

Farrell just qualified for public campaign financing.and submitted his paperwork to the State Elections Enforcement Commission in preparation of the November general election.

Farrell’s campaign raised over $75,000 from over 900 contributors who were limited to a maximum of $100 per person.

Once approved, Farrell will receive a grant of $750,000 to compete with a Democratic opponent who will receive the same grant.

Farrell and Democratic attorney general candidate George Jepsen are the only statewide candidates without a primary election to receive public funding.

07/30/10 Reader Submitted Comments: Former Stamford Mayor Malloy Is Far From Being The 'Clean Elections' Candidate

Image via Wikipedia

Editor,

As a Stamford employee I think the taxpayers of Connecticut should br made aware of who the real Dan Malloy is and what he stood for.

When Malloy was the mayor of Stamford there was a corrosive and cancerous pay-to-play system that steered political donors to no bid city contracts.

This pay-to-play system was one that Malloy willingly exploited then and is has exploited in his bid for the Democratic nomination for Governor.

If Dan Malloy is sent to Hartford he will further bring down the a state that is on life support.

Name Withheld By Request

COMMENT:

Many Connecticut voters have forgotten about the state's attorney's probe of Malloy's home improvements, and whether he had done anything to benefit the contractors who were working on his house, including steer them city business.

Over and over similar schemes helped undo the careers of Gov. John G. Rowland, and much more recently, Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez, who appears to be headed to prison on a bribery conviction.

Related articles:

• Lamont Leads Malloy in Connecticut (politicalwire.com)
• Eddie Perez, Connecticut Mayor, Found Guilty On Charges Of Corruption, Bribery, Larceny By Extortion (huffingtonpost.com)
• Hartford mayor convicted of corruption (msnbc.msn.com)

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07/07/10 Gubernatorial Candidate Dan Malloy Slams Greenwich Resident Ned Lamont For Skipping New London Debate

The Chicken Man Is Afraid Of Getting Plucked:

Greenwich Millionaire Ned Lamont Is Running Scared

Dan Malloy, the endorsed Democratic candidate for Connecticut governor, is criticizing his primary opponent Ned Lamont for skipping a planned televised debate inNew London later this month.

The Day of New London, which traditionally co-sponsors the debate with WTNH-TV, announced Tuesday that Lamont is refusing to participate, forcing them to cancel the live event. The Republican candidates for governor will still face off on July 28.

Malloy and Lamont appeared together last month in their first TV debate. Malloy says he thinks Lamont won't participate in a second debate because a campaign focus group showed he did not perform well.

A spokeswoman confirmed Lamont is not participating, saying that he wants to talk directly to voters between now and the Aug. 10 primary. She says there was no focus group.

06/23/10 Conservative Cuban American Seeks To Replace Liberal Congressman Jim Himes

RICK TORRES STIRS EMOTIONS

BY LENNIEGRIMALDI

Only In Bridgeport® - http://onlyinbridgeport.com/wordpress/

If you like your politics conservative, fiscally and socially, Rick Torres fits both.

Rick is a passionate pol who stirs passionate responses. He has qualified for the ballot to challenge GOP-endorsed State Senator Dan Debicella, a Bridgeport native, in an August primary the winner to face Fourth District Democratic Congressman Jim Himes. Rob Merkle, of Norwalk, founder of an executive search firm in Westport, has also qualified for the August primary. Merkle is a favorite of some Tea Party types, such as it is in Fairfield County. So who’s Rick Torres?

(See a snapshot of his bio below.) Torres lives in Black Rock and operates Harborview Market, a popular neighborhood gathering spot. Rick toiled in Bridgeport Democratic politics for a while as an outsider. He was so outside as an establishment fighter that it was better to become a Republican. In 2003 he almost became mayor, losing the general election to John Fabrizi who had become chief executive following Joe Ganim’s resignation following his conviction on corruption charges.

The early fall of 2003 was dicey for Democrats. The electorate was angry, Fabrizi had served as city council president while Ganim was mayor, Mario Testa was party leader. Fabrizi survived a tough primary against Caruso and others. As the general election closed in Republican and Democratic polls showed the race was even. That’s not good for Dems who enjoy a major registration advantage. Testa decided it would be good to resign to take heat off Fabrizi. The editorial board of the Connecticut Post did not believe Rick had the right temperament to be mayor. A statement Rick made about the minority community lifting themselves up was interpreted as insensitive. Fabrizi won the election.

Rick did not go away, nor did his controversial swagger. In the summer of 2007 Rick, as the local GOP chair, endorsed Democratic State Rep. Chris Caruso, the mayoral primary challenger to party-endorsed Bill Finch, arguing the best way to cleanse the city’s Democratic political system was to get behind the guy who’d powerwash it into the Pequonnock River. Local Republicans threw a fit over Rick endorsing a Dem and removed Torres as party leader.

When challengers emerged this year to take on Himes, former State Senator Rob Russo had the majority of the Bridgeport GOP support. Undeterred, Torres jumped in as well claiming the throne of conservatism. Russo’s campaign never took flight, Debicella’s fundraising efforts and district-wide campaigning propelled him to the party endorsement. Taking out Debicella is a tall task. He has money and organizational support. But he must safeguard his money for the general election. Torres has a history of whistling to his own tune. He won’t go away quietly. He has been endorsed by economic guru Peter Schiff who’s trying to slay GOP-endorsed Linda McMahon for the right to challenge Dick Blumenthal in November. www.ricktorres2010.com

From Rick Torres:

Rick Torres, who is running for the Republican nomination in Connecticut’s 4th District, the seat currently held by Jim Himes, has issued the following statement on the Secretary of State’s announcement regarding ballot qualifiers today. Torres is excited to have his ideas aired alongside those of fellow Republicans Robert Merkle and Dan Dibecella.

“This is going to be an exciting race and, I believe, a definitive race for the nation. The voters of Connecticut’s Fourth have clear choices between a candidate who has as his base, the Republican establishment and a candidate who has the support of some of the louder voices in the Tea Party movement. In me they have a third choice: a candidate who derives his support from regular folks across the District who just simply want to be left alone to raise their families and run their businesses.

“I have struggled and fought from the time that my family fled Cuba and have risen from the oppression of the public housing system to have my name on a ballot for United States Congress. It is really quite an honor and I am happy that the voters had the faith in me to sign my nomination papers.

“It is an interesting year to be in a race. So many want to hold on to their power and others are just swinging wildly because they are angry. We need a reasoned dialogue with the people because it is their lives and their freedoms that are at stake here. Insiders must put aside their allegiances and some in the debate must tone down their anger. We need to come up with real solutions to restore our nation to her place as a shining light for democracy around the globe.”

Torres, who was born in Bridgeport, moved back to his family’s native Cuba when he was a young boy. It took his father five years after Fidel Castro came to power to secure permission to return to America’s shores. In 1967, Rick and his brother were brought back to Bridgeport—with not much more than the clothes on their backs. The family lived across from the PT Barnum Public Housing Project and Torres worked his way through college in a series of construction trades jobs. He eventually studied for a PhD in microbiology but, like many folks, had to quit graduate school in order to support his young family.

Torres and Michelle, his wife of 27 years, started a series of small businesses, working double shifts for years. Eventually, they bought Harborview Market: a once thriving neighborhood store which had fallen on desperate times. Harborview is once again a successful business and was the site of today’s press conference.

In 2003, Rick ran for Mayor of Bridgeport on the Republican Ticket. Prior to his Mayoral run, Rick took an active role in a number of neighborhood and community organizations, and ran for several local government offices. Rick and Michele have five children: John, Alex, Michael, Kaitlyn, and Gabbi. They live in Bridgeport.

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06/21/10 MEDIA ALERT: Rick Torres Press Release On Ballot Qualification

For Immediate Release

Torres for Congress: 203-923-1321

June 21, 2010

Contact: Victoria Smith

press@ricktorres2010.com

RICK TORRES' STATEMENT ON BALLOT QUALIFICATION

Rick Torres, who is running for the Republican nomination in Connecticut's 4^th District, the seat currently held by Jim Himes, has issued the following statement on the Secretary of State's announcement regarding ballot qualifiers today. Torres is excited to have his ideas aired alongside those of fellow Republicans Robert Merkle and Dan Dibecella.

"This is going to be an exciting race and, I believe, a definitive race for the nation. The voters of Connecticut's Fourth have clear choices between a candidate who has as his base, the Republican establishment and a candidate who has the support of some of the louder voices in the Tea Party movement. In me they have a third choice: a candidate who derives his support from regular folks across the District who just simply want to be left alone to raise their families and run their businesses."

"I have struggled and fought from the time that my family fled Cuba and have risen from the oppression of the public housing system to have my name on a ballot for United States Congress. It is really quite an honor and I am happy that the voters had the faith in me to sign my nomination papers"

"It is an interesting year to be in a race. So many want to hold on to their power and others are just swinging wildly because they are angry. We need a reasoned dialogue with the people because it is their lives and their freedoms that are at stake here. Insiders must put aside their allegiances and some in the debate must tone down their anger. We need to come up with real solutions to restore our nation to her place as a shining light for democracy around the globe."

Torres, who was born in Bridgeport, moved back to his family's native Cuba when he was a young boy. It took his father five years after Fidel Castro came to power to secure permission to return to America's shores. In 1967, Rick and his brother were brought back to Bridgeport—with not much more than the clothes on their backs. The family lived across from the PT Barnum Public Housing Project and Torres worked his way through college in a series of construction trades jobs. He eventually studied for a PhD in microbiology but, like many folks, had to quit graduate school in order to support his young family.

Torres and Michelle, his wife of 27 years, started a series of small businesses, working double shifts for years. Eventually, they bought Harborview Market: a once thriving neighborhood store which had fallen on desperate times. Harborview is once again a successful business and was the site of today's press conference.

In 2003, Rick ran for Mayor of Bridgeport on the Republican Ticket. Prior to his Mayoral run, Rick took an active role in a number of neighborhood and community organizations, and ran for several local government offices. Rick and Michele have five children: John, Alex, Michael, Kaitlyn, and Gabbi. They live in Bridgeport.

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In 4th District Race, Grassroots Canidate Rick Torres Goes Against The Grain

The Fourth Congressional Race In Fairfield County Connecticut

Source: CT Post
Genevieve Reilly, Staff Writer
Published 09:44p.m., Saturday, April 24, 2010

BRIDGEPORT -- Rick Torres may be considered an anomaly by some. Not only is he a Republican in a city where Democrats outweigh the GOP faithful, he's a Latino Republican.

On a warm spring morning, Torres, 51, sits at a table outside the Harborview Market, the business he owns in the neighborhood where he lives, talking about the life experiences that shaped him into the staunch conservative he is today.

Torres is working hard to secure the Republican nomination -- there are six candidates -- to unseat Democrat U.S. Rep Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District.

It would be easier, especially in Bridgeport, to be a Democrat. Hispanics tend to vote Democrat. And, in fact, at one point Torres himself was a Democrat.

Not any more. Not after living across the street from the P.T. Barnum housing complex in Section 8 housing -- housing subsidized by the government -- after he father moved the family back to the U.S. from Cuba in 1967.

"I believe in me, I believe in you," Torres said.

"I don't believe in the government. The problem with the government is they don't get it right. I want to fix it and the only way to fix it is to get government out of it."

He wants, he said, to "liberate the people living in public housing ... It was intended to help, but it does the opposite. The children don't see anyone who's never been on welfare. Everyone's been on welfare so long, that's the norm for them."

Torres said he thinks there should be a homesteader plan--if you've lived in public housing for 10 years or more, it's yours.

"Get them off welfare, let them earn as much as they can, and keep as much as they can," he said.

"Open the doors of education. That's what you and I take for granted. That's foreign to them. That's just the way it is and there's no other way to say it better."

He admits that some of his stands are not always popular with his customers, but that doesn't bother him, Torres said, as he points to a man sitting inside.

"That guy, he's a Socialist." Going against the grain, the accepted way to do things, the easiest way, is not something new for Torres.

The GOP candidate for mayor in 2003, he was ousted in 2007 as chairman of the city's Republican Town Committee after he urged GOP members to switch to Democrat to vote in a primary for mayoral candidate Chris Caruso. Torres said it was the best way to get rid of an entrenched Democratic machine.

As a high school senior, he was offered full college scholarships, so long as he played football or basketball. At age 18, though, his shoulder was shot, his knees were shot, his back hurt. Torres just wanted an education.

He founded himself at the Milford Academy, and bartered the carpentry skills he'd acquired at Bullard -Havens Technical High School to pay his way at the post grad prep school rather than play football, which would have also gotten him a free ride.

Torres found himself the winner of the popularity polls at Bullards-Havens, where he captained the basketball team, played football and was elected as the prom king.

He's also found himself ostracized, and was ready to quite Milford Acemdy after two month when none of his fellow students, all much wealtheir than he was, would even speak to him.

He's had success in business-his Harborview Market received outpouring support from the Black Rock community when he needed zoning variances to stay open. He's also had disappointments-a deal that would have brought a car manufacturer to the city fell through.

Today, Torres said, he is comfortable speaking to any sort of group.

"It's really cool. I can give a talk at the highest level of corporate office," he said, "and then I can go into an inner-city black church and give it again and then I can go into a Hispanic church and give it in Spanish."

Torres said he'd talked to millionaires in Greenwich, and students at Housatonic Community College.

"I give the same talk about small government and free markets," he said. "It's really a decent message."

Until the last election, the district was held by Christopher Shays, who was defeated by Jim Himes.

"I'm not a Chris Shays style representative," Torres said. "I'm not a moderate. I'm a conservative through and through."

He knows that means the Republican organization in the district is leaning toward candidates like Rob Russo and state Rep. Dan Debicella, who follow the Shays ideology.

But, he's raised about $50,000 and said there are many people in Fairfield County who agree with him. "I've found a gold vein, so to speak," Torres said. "I think we're going to strike it rich."

His goal is to raise "at least" $300,000 for the primary.

And he has no doubt that not only will he win a Republican primary, he'll win back the seat for the party.

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