And so it begins...
Right now, attention is focused on the decisions and actions of federal and state governments. We continue to look for hopeful progress for our country, our state and our local community as the COVID-19 crisis continues to tear our hearts apart, and towns across the state are starting to focus on the upcoming 2020 election cycle.
Over the past several months, we've been hearing rumblings as to the plans of CT's 187 incumbent state legislators. Now, many are seriously considering their ability or willingness to "sign up" for another two years of public service. This week, it's all becoming real.
Most decisions to retire and not seek re-election are based on a family-focused decision, as well as a long tenure serving their local communities and knowing that now's the time to pass the torch. Right now, the total number of years of service provided by the 10 incumbents who have chosen to "retire" adds up to an amazing 174 years! Many of the legislators who have announced their decision not to run in November have served in leadership positions as well as provided leadership as a committee co-chair. CT will surely see the loss of some amazing public servants.
As I've asked many times, who in their right mind would want to run for the CT General Assembly? They earn less than minimum wage, they lose precious family time, many times they forgo promotions at work given the amount of time this "part-time job" requires and they take an enormous amount of public scrutiny for their actions or inactions. It's not at all what it's made out to be serving in CT's "part-time" legislature.
As of this week, we are going to have to say goodbye to some terrific public servants.
Senator Len Fasano (R-34)
Senator Len Fasano arrived in 2002. He served as Minority Whip from 2003 to 2004, Assistant Minority Leader from 2005 to 2006, Deputy Minority Leader from 2007 to 2008, Minority Leader Pro Tempore from 2009 to 2014, Minority Leader since 2014 and Senate Republican President Pro Tempore since 2017.
He cares deeply about healthcare and community practicing physicians. Sen. Fasano worked diligently with Senator Martin Looney during the transformation of physician and hospital relationships as well as the reimbursement by healthcare insurers for physician services starting in 2013 and continuing to the present.
Fasano has risen to a leadership role in the development, revision and growth of urban development and jobs policies for the state along with his dedication to advocating for CT's persons with disabilities and children's issues.
The recipient of dozens of awards and recognitions, Senator Fasano managed to combine his love of his district with those issues most important to him and his community as well as lead the Republican caucus for most of his elected career.
Representative Joe "A2Z" Aresimowicz (D-30th)
Before joining the state legislature, Aresimowicz was three times elected to the Berlin Town Council. Aresimowicz was elected to the House of Representatives in 2004 to represent Berlin and Southington. In 2013, he was elected the House Majority Leader, and in 2017 he became the Speaker of the House.
Best known for his moderate to progressive leanings on policy, a peacemaker for his caucus and a leader who not only leads with his head but his heart, he revitalized the art of bipartisanship and created a workable truce across the aisle with a much more moderate to conservative Republican caucus. Aresimowicz has earned multiple honors and awards from groups such as: the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance, the New England Secondary School Consortium, the American Legion, the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, the Alliance of Connecticut YMCAs, the Connecticut State Medical Society and the Connecticut River Salmon Association.
Both of these leaders were members of the "Gang of Six," who ultimately had to work collaboratively with the sitting Governor in order to get the big stuff done in Hartford. There might be one more retirement announced from the other four members (Rep. Ritter (D) and Rep. Klarides (R), Senator Looney (D) and Senator Duff (D)) of the "Gang of Six." Time will tell.
Additionally, nine state representatives have announced their plans to retire but only Senator Fasano so far in the Senate. Those not running for re-election are:
Candidate
|
District
|
Party
|
Joe Verrengia
|
20
|
Democrat
|
Russ Morin
|
28
|
Democrat
|
Joe Aresimowicz
|
30
|
Democrat
|
Joe Serra
|
33
|
Democrat
|
Arthur O'Neill
|
69
|
Republican
|
Richard Smith
|
108
|
Republican
|
John Frey
|
111
|
Republican
|
Kim Rose
|
118
|
Democrat
|
Gail Lavielle
|
143
|
Republican
|
A number of candidates are setting up to fill some of these vacancies and to challenge incumbents come Nov 3
rd. The calendar for this state election cycle begins on May 5
th when candidates who have multi-town districts need to be nominated by their town committees by May 26
th. Town committees have from May 19-26
th for those districts with a single town district to select their favorite candidate. Primary petitions are available on the deadline date for town committee action (May 26
th) and need to be back to the Secretary of the State by June 16
th. Just a disclaimer, these dates are obviously subject to the ongoing public health emergency now in existence.
As always, we'll keep you updated and
in the loop throughout the election year. We'll look at open seats and profile candidates as well as feature
hot races and look at the race from an insider's view.
Until then, stay healthy, listen to the experts and keep your distance. Well, maybe not from your spouse, partner or children, we all need hugs right now. And be sure to show gratitude for all those who are obligated to be out there to keep the trains running. They too deserve hugs. But right now, virtual hugs will have to do.