Attorney General candidate George Jepsen confirmed to OIB the state Supreme Court has ruled Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz is not qualified to run for AG. From Jon Lender, Hartford Courant:
The state Supreme Court on Tuesday unanimously reversed a lower court ruling that would have allowed Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz to run for state attorney general.
The ruling shockingly ends one of the most unusual chapters in Connecticut’s political history. Bysiewicz had been one of the leading candidates for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination until January, when Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s decision to run for U.S. Senate prompted her to run for the office he was vacating.
Questions immediately arose over whether Bysiewicz met the requirements of a state statute that says Connecticut’s attorney general must have engaged in the “active practice” of law for 10 years in the state. The statute doesn’t define what “active practice” means–and Bysiewicz went to court for a judge’s ruling to clarify the question. A Superior Court judge earlier this month found she was eligible–a decision overturned Tuesday, 7-0, on appeal from the state Republican Party.
SuBy statement, will she run for her current job?
“I am tremendously disappointed with the court’s decision overturning Judge Sheldon’s ruling and I strongly disagree with the decision both on the eligibility and the constitutionality issue. However, I do respect the rule of law and will abide by it.”
From George Jepsen:
Statement from George Jepsen on Supreme Court Decision
“I believe my broad legal experience and record as a legislator will make me the best possible Attorney General candidate going forward. I want to welcome Susan’s supporters to be a part of my campaign team. This is a surprise and I had expected the voters would make the final decision in the August primary.
“As Attorney General, I will work hard every day for Connecticut by fighting against corrupt business practices, guarding consumers, enforcing laws against polluters and working to hold the line on insurance and utility costs,” says Jepsen.
The Jepsen campaign is participating in the new clean elections program that requires candidates to raise small individual donations in order to qualify for public financing. Jepsen has also pledged his commitment to the AG’s office and he will not seek higher office while in his first term.
*** “Great Caesar’s ghost, where does SuBy go from here?” Oh well, there’s always “Sec of the State?” *** FORGETABOUTIT ***
Will not be voting for GJ!!!
I know some of you will begin hyperventilating about the appellate court decision to deny SotS SuBy a place on the AG ballot finding her ineligible by dint of lack of experience. Personally I am not that excited. We seem to have no lack of “candidates” this year. Note I did not use the word “qualified,” but that is one of the wonders of our system. If you believe in your ideological position and will venture the time, talent and treasure necessary to launch yourself, perhaps you can get your hands on a rung of the election ladder by finding others who believe in you and your vision. It’s a start unless you are found to be ineligible, illegal or foolish (but without humor). Let’s hear it for the State Court referees!!! The seven judges voting should have a reasonably clear vision of what “active practice” means in current culture. And there was no dissent!!! Amazing.
By the way, I know I am most focused on the City Budget at this moment, having attended the Monday night meeting (one week previous to the Battle of Bridgeport) where the 2011 plan was adopted by 17 or 18 Council members voting unanimously on each call of the roll, at least 7 times. Smiles, courtesy and appreciation were expressed abundantly. Amity was the rule of the hour. There may have been no comments from the public preceding the meeting because it was a special meeting. There were scant discouraging words (offered by Bob Walsh with a grin but an ‘AYE” vote) and certainly no boxing or wrestling demonstrations. You could have almost fallen asleep.
What a difference a week makes, you know. So I started thinking, if there was so much physical activity and excitement before the police arrived, maybe tag teams could be organized, some corporate sponsors arranged to provide uniforms and physical training before every committee meeting,(public invited to work out but be quiet while doing so), full video presentation with instant replay and pay per view, and organized betting on the teams, only for the benefit of the City. If the City were to receive 10% of the handle of each match, with meetings twice per month, proper promotion in the national press would certainly come and be seen as the “Bridgeport way” of increasing revenues to balance budgets and taking the taxpayers’ minds off property taxes. Why it could put us on the map, in a way clean, green, etc. do not. We would be transitioning from the ARSENAL OF DEMOCRACY to the COUNCIL COMMUNICATORS’ CLASH or the RING OF ROWDY REPRESENTATIVES. Our UCONN basketball ladies were #1 nationally, undefeated and recognized as such by President Obama. What role would our female Council members play? … Put your mind to it, and develop a revenue trail. Laughter may be our best reward.
Justice was served with the 7-0 court decision. After learning about SuBy’s minimal legal experience, I wondered why she would want to put the state she loves in a position to have such an inexperienced AG … experience matters in the AG position … good luck to George Jepson. I have found him to be smart and professional. He may not be the most charismatic person in politics but his word is good and he works hard.
Oh, I can hear the band at the Dems’ convention now …
SuBy do-be dog-doo …
Great post BEACON2. I have been a supporter for George Jepson since the beginning, in great part due to his qualifications and experience. No one should be surprised the Attorney General position should come with a requisite amount of legal experience. The AG is the best job in politics because experience is required. I wish more elected positions had minimum job requirements.
Exactly MCAT.
Let’s go Sestak let’s go Sestak!!! More Democrats voted in KY than Republicans that is huge in a GOP state who said Dems lost a step?
Susan should have run for Gov. she would have done a Great job.