Politics & Government

Rocky Hill Election Guide 2012

The candidates, incumbents and issues that will be affecting Rocky Hill and the surrounding area.

 

As we look ahead to November’s elections, is devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in town. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near. 

President

(D): The president came to Connecticut last election to stump for his Democratic colleagues, although this year he could be more busy campaigning for himself.  

(R): The former governor is no stranger to Connecticut, having most recently visited in May for a lucrative fundraiser.

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U.S. Senate

Editor's Note: Both the Democrats and republicans have

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 (D): The Democratic congressman is polling ahead of his closest party rival by a 50-20 margin as he tries to win outgoing Sen. Joe Lieberman’s seat.

 (D): The Democratic candidate for Senate has her work cut out for her as she tries to lessen U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy’s strong lead as the August primary approaches.

Sylvester Salcedo (D): The Bridgeport lawyer is known for being one of the few Asian-Americans to run for U.S. Senate in the 2012 election — perhaps now the only one since  — as well as driving to the Mexican border earlier this year to gain a some attention for his campaign.

Lee Whitnum (unaffiliated): The Greenwich resident spark some controversy when  because Gov. Malloy and Rep. Chris Murphy are "lying to the people to pander to the ultra conservative branch of the Jewish community." She announced in June that she would 

 (R): The former WWE executive tried – and failed – in her run for U.S. Senate two years ago. This year, she was the Republican favorite after .

 (R): Despite losing the party nominations to Linda McMahon, .

Kie Westby (R): , the Southbury attorney said that career politicians have had their chance to make changes. "It requires a fresh face, a fresh approach," he said. Although he hasn't officially suspended his campaign, Westby recently announced that he wouldn't submit the signatures required to be part of the Republican primary.

First Congressional District

John Larson (D): Rep. John Larson has been serving the first congressional district in congress since 1999. During his tenure, Larson has secured the defense contracts for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's F-135 Engine, which were built in Connecticut in 2011.

He recently started the Connecticut with the purpose of the program being to bring what are known as "Track One” candidates together with prospective employers who are looking for a certain skill set.

Last month, he introduced "the 'Victory for Veterans' commemorative stamp, which is a .21 cent stamp that has no postage value, but can be placed on letters to show support for our veterans," according to an email from his spokesman.

John Decker (R):  On his Facebook page, John Decker states that he is a "real person" and not a "career politician." 

"I look forward to a time when we elect real people at home in their communities instead of re-electing career politicians interested in spending our money and in their own self-preservation," he wrote on his Facebook page.

Decker has served Connecticut as a financial advisor for the past 16 years. He recently earned his certified financial planner designation, serves on the Board of Directors of Business for Downtown Hartford and is a deacon, according to his Facebook page.

Ninth Senate District

Paul Doyle (D): With almost 20 years experience in Connecticut politics, state Sen. Paul Doyle is trying to be elected for his fourth term.

"I will try to work hard to get elected for another two years," he previously told Patch. Doyle has also served six terms as a state representative.

Doyle, who also represents Middletown, Newington and Wethersfield, said he plans to focus on another version of the , which seeks to create new jobs for small businesses, and recently toured stone fabricator .

Joseph Dinunzio (R): Joseph Dinunzio is not new to the political scene and in 2002, challenged Billy Ciotto for 9th State Senate District seat. This time, the former town council member will challenge Doyle for his seat.

"For the residents of Connecticut these are very difficult times. From
economic, fiscal, and quality of life perspectives it can be concluded that
we are in dire straits," he said in an email to Patch Sunday night. "The burden for this condition is absolutely and ultimately attributed to the failure of leadership."

Dinunzio said Connecticut politics need "elected officials that should and must 'tell it like it is'" and "infusion of new critical thinking and ideas."

29th Assembly District

Tony Guerrera (D):  After being unanimously nominated in late May, state Rep. Tony Guerrera told the Rocky Hill Democratic Town Committee that he plans to work on bringing tolls back to Connecticut and looking at red light cameras at busy intersections.

Guerrera, who was elected to the Connecticut Legislature in a special election in 2001, is also pushing for the state to at . He was mayor of Rocky Hill for two years and served on the town council. 

Todd Brown (R): According to party members, Todd Brown is a "new comer" to state politics, but that will not stop him from challenging for the 29th Assembly District.

"He seems like a very nice guy and very enthusiastic," said Rocky Hill Republican Town Committee Vice-Chairman Michael Casasanta previously about the party's candidate.

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