Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

Opening night for the GOP gubernatorial contender road show

  • Politics
  • by Mark Pazniokas
  • December 7, 2017
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

ctmirror.org

Mike Handler opens the forum. From left, Prasad Srinivasan, Dave Walker, Peter Lumaj, Steve Obsitnik and Tim Herbst. Toni Boucher arrived late.

Windsor — Arrayed on stools like Dating Game contestants, seven Republican gubernatorial contenders broadly sketched out their interests Wednesday night, but mainly shared their turnoffs — unfunded pension and retiree health liabilities, wasteful spending, excessive regulation and career politicians.

“Career politician” was the go-to insult for most of the Republicans attending the first of five gubernatorial forums the state GOP is holding, one every month in a different congressional district until the state nominating convention in May. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s name came up a few times. President Donald J. Trump’s did not.

No one asked, but former Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst volunteered that if elected governor he would ask the General Assembly to reinstate capital punishment and end the release of inmates before completion of sentence, a position that would reverse decades of correction policies across the U.S.

Herbst and Peter Lumaj each displayed more than a working knowledge of the dynamics of a crowded statewide Republican primary: Leaning right never hurts. Both were statewide nominees in 2014: Herbst for treasurer, Lumaj for secretary of the state. On Wednesday, they made strong appeals to gun owners and other conservatives.

“Be proud that you’re Republicans. Stand by your principles,” Lumaj said, his tone suggesting he doesn’t believe everyone on stage shared his sentiment. “I’m a Republican, conservative, and I’m proud of it.”

Herbst took a hard line against gun control, questioning the need and effectiveness of the law Connecticut passed in response to the Newtown school massacre, which banned certain military-style weapons and large-capacity magazines and imposed stricter background checks.

He declined to say if he would support a ban on bump stocks, a device that can allow a shooter to fire a semiautomatic nearly as quickly as a machine gun. Police say a bump stock was used in the Las Vegas mass shooting.

“I support the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. I am a gun owner. I have a permit,” Herbst said.

Lumaj, who also says he has a permit to carry a firearm, called the Second Amendment “a natural right, a God-given right.”

Most of the others said they supported the Second Amendment, but were open to reasonable regulation as allowed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Eleven contenders, a mix of declared and exploratory candidates, met the criteria set by the GOP for participating in the forum: Raising at least $75,000. Seven accepted and four declined.

ctmirror.org

Toni Boucher, center, shares a laugh with Dave Walker and Peter Lumaj.

Attending were Herbst, Lumaj, state Rep. Prasad Srinivasan, state Sen. Toni Boucher, former U.S. Comptroller General Dave Walker, Mike Handler, who is Stamford’s chief financial officer, and Steve Obsitnik, a technology entrepreneur and former congressional candidate.

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti and two newcomers to politics, Bob Stefanowski and David Stemmerman, declined to participate. Stefanowski, who outlined a plan Monday for the state to eliminate the income tax over eight years, was ridiculed as promising what cannot be delivered.

“That does not pass the straight-face test,” Walker said.

“We have a spending problem, not a revenue problem,” Handler said. “The first order of business must be to limit expenses.”

They spoke before a crowd estimated by Republican State Chairman J.R. Romano at more than 300. About 200 had responded to invitations sent to activists via email and social media, and Romano speculated that a fair number were potential delegates to the nominating convention. The next forum is in early January.

All seven said that Connecticut, which is facing a projected deficit of $207 million, has a problem of spending too much, not taking in too little. No one offered details about how they would accomplish what the legislature could not with its bipartisan budget, namely identify services they would discontinue.

Most spoke about the need to invest in the state’s transportation infrastructure as vital to its economic competitiveness. None offered a suggestion on how to replenish a fast-depleting special transportation fund, threatening to halt planning on major projects.

A question about their positions on legalizing marijuana drew unprompted admissions from several that they never had tried it. Lumaj took a Libertarian view, saying he did not oppose legalization — as long as it was not done as a revenue-raising ploy.

CTmirror.org

Tim Herbst. Behind him are Walker, Lumaj and Obsitnik.

“I’ve never smoked marijuana,” Lumaj said. “I would never recommend it.”

“I went to the Naval Academy and served in the Navy for five years, so I can’t say I was a big user of marijuana. Actually, I never used it,” Obsitnik said, smiling. But he said he was open to an evidence-based discussion about legalization, though it was not high on his list of priorities for Connecticut.

“For the record, I do not and have not used marijuana,” Walker said. “I’m shocked at how many times I get questions about marijuana.” He said he preferred to talk about the state’s bigger addictions: “deficits and debt.”

Srinivasan and Boucher are opposed to legalization, and both voted against the law allowing cannabis for medical use.

Most of the candidates had an open mind on casino expansion. MGM Resorts International will ask the legislature next year to consider its plan for a casino resort in Bridgeport.

Boucher said Bridgeport deserves to “decide on their own which way they wish to go with this.”

Herbst said he opposes any casino expansion that jeopardizes jobs elsewhere in the state, meaning the two tribal casinos of eastern Connecticut.

Obsitnik said if a major company wants to invest and bring jobs to the state, “It’s their right to do it.”

ctmirror.org

The candidates after the forum ended.

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Pazniokas is the Capitol Bureau Chief and a co-founder of CT Mirror. He is a frequent contributor to WNPR, a former state politics writer for The Hartford Courant and Journal Inquirer, and contributor for The New York Times.

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
CT Democrats to propose beefed-up spending plan
by Keith M. Phaneuf

The Appropriations Committee will propose a two-year state spending plan Wednesday that bolsters municipal aid, higher education and social services.

On 4/20 this year, legalizing pot is not enough
by Mark Pazniokas

There was nothing mellow about this 4/20, the unofficial holiday for the celebration and consumption of cannabis.

Lamont takes a moment to celebrate government efficiency
by Mark Pazniokas

The state has consolidated 140 positions in human resources into 70.

Big dollars hang in the balance as CT finance panel rushes to finish work
by Keith M. Phaneuf

Millions of dollars in proposed tax hikes and cuts remain in play as the finance committee nears its Thursday deadline.

Bill that would eliminate CT’s religious exemption from mandatory vaccines clears House
by Jenna Carlesso

The measure passed by a vote of 90 to 53 after 16 hours of debate.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion Playing politics with people’s healthcare is always wrong
by Jody Barr, Jan Hochadel, Jeff Leake, Dave Glidden, Carl Chism and Mike Holmes

For the past decade, towns, school boards and cities throughout the state have been able to provide their employees high-quality healthcare through the Connecticut Partnership […]

Opinion A pandemic lesson for CSCU leaders: affordable, accessible childcare is critical
by Brandy Sellitto

If there can be anything good that has come from the last year and the horrors of living through this pandemic, perhaps it is the renewed focus on the need for affordable and accessible childcare. As a teen mom, I know first-hand the need for access to safe, reliable, and developmentally appropriate childcare at an affordable price.

Opinion Children’s mental health needs continue to soar: The second pandemic lawmakers must address
by Gabriella Izzo

“She was my happy kid,” a parent told me when I cared for her child who was experiencing a mental health crisis. My patient recovered medically within a few days, however, she remained in the hospital for over a week waiting for placement at a psychiatric rehabilitation facility. We must improve our mental health system and you can be a critical part of making that happen.

Opinion H.B. 6620 — A closer reading of a flawed legislative proposal
by Ann M Mulready

The Connecticut Association for Reading Research (CARR) is deeply concerned regarding H.B. 6620, An Act Concerning the Right to Read and Addressing Certain Opportunity Gaps. It is based on a concept that is seriously problematic in that it subordinates comprehension to fluency.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s […]

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is […]

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO