2020. Election year. Clear vision. Election year. Leap Year. Did I say election year? New decade.

As we all gathered with family and friends this past week and cheered the thrills of victories and the agony of defeats for 2019, we then awoke to a new chapter. So many ideas popped into my head for this week's article! First and foremost, it's an election year!! Yup! What's at stake here? There is a Presidential race in case you've missed that, our five U.S. members of Congress are up for re-election, along with the entire CT legislature. Governor Lamont and other statewide officials enjoy a four-year term, so they are set for another two years. Both nationally and CT wide, a lot is at stake.

I think everyone has their opinions on the race for the Oval Office, but there's also the race to maintain (or take back) control in Congress. Everyone has their theories, but what sticks in my mind is that unless folks start to talk about their vision and what they can do to keep the economy running while keeping America strong and maintaining our values, we all might once again be shaking our heads the morning of Nov 4th asking, "What just happened?" There are too many Democratic candidates for my taste and too few Republican candidates out there to give folks a real choice. I get there's something to be said about choice, but how often do you go into a Chinese restaurant pick the same item? For me, it's pork lo mein, but for others it's General Tso's chicken or sweet and sour pork. It happens, and it could happen in 2020 if the pool of candidates on the Democratic side doesn't narrow and the pool of candidates on the Republican side doesn't expand. Say it ain't so, Joe.

It looks like CT will continue a tradition of sending Democrats to U.S. Congress to represent us. There are a few names surfacing as opponents, but it doesn't seem as if there's a red wave within the congressional races and the incumbents are real good on constituent issues. Some say there will be a robust challenge in the 5th district, as the newly elected Congresswomen Jahana Hayes faces re-election with a new voting track record. So watch out for the local rumblings in the next four months to see if anything gets traction, but so far there hasn't been much.

Over in the CT legislature, now that's another story. With the impending tolls fight being carried over from last session and now some controversy over a regional increase in the gas tax to give folks a
"motive" to drive less, it's going to be busy right off the bat. Of course, there is still the pressure on the budget with the continual costs of operating government rising well above the tax revenues. 2020 will have a short but action packed session. The issues that the legislature decide to take up will decide the temperature of CT's voters when it comes to who should be in charge of the state's economy and public policy.

What's at stake in the caucus leadership within the four caucuses? There's the ever-present rumors of retirements in the Senate. For the past two elections cycles, folks have mentioned both Senator Looney and Senator Fasano not seeking re-election, but it's way too early to make that official. In the House, Speaker Joe Aresimowicz definitely will not be seeking re-election and will leave an opportunity for another legislative to be elected as the next Speaker of the House. Majority Leader Matt Ritter looks like the hands down favorite, if the Democrats can maintain control of the House, to make history as all anticipate his election as Speaker will make him and his father, former Speaker Tom Ritter, the first and only father/son tag team in the House's highest power seat. That leaves the Majority Leader seat wide open if the Democrats can retain control of the House for a good old-fashioned "let the best man or woman win."

While many in the know will certainly not speculate on this until at least when the session ends and legislation is finalized, there a lot scurrying around to see who will end up in the next most powerful leadership role. Will it be Republican Minority Leader Themis Klarides? Will it be one of the numerous sitting legislators who have started to lobby their current colleagues for their support? It appears that with the split Democratic caucus this past year, we will see at least two members face off for the Majority Leader spot. Seems as though there will be one from the more moderate side of the Democratic caucus and one (or more) from the progressive side of the Democratic caucus. The success of key issues related to workforce/labor, taxes, environment and social issues this session might tilt the race for Majority Leader either way, depending on the outcome.

So that's the scoop on 2020 as the election year! Look out for vision next week (get it- haha) and I'll wrap up the lead up to the 2020 session with Leap Year though the following week!

Hope it's a year filled with promise and good will towards all!