Moving parts intrigue the Republican state party convention this weekend at Mohegan Sun, including candidates for lieutenant governor among them Bridgeport resident David Walker, the former U.S. Comptroller General, trying to qualify for the ballot. An August primary is likely for governor. Deal making, political pragmatism, delegate support and Walker’s fundraising all factor into his ballot dynamic.
Going into the weekend, 2010 GOP nominee Tom Foley is the odds-on favorite for the endorsement for governor, but Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, Foley’s 2010 general election running mate for lieutenant governor, says he enjoys plenty of delegate support to wage a primary. State Senator John McKinney, whose supporters say is the strongest general election candidate against Democratic incumbent Dan Malloy, faces strong opposition from Republican delegates for his support of Malloy’s gun-control legislation following the Sandy Hook shootings. McKinney’s trying to overcome that opposition to reach the 15 percent delegate support at the convention needed to qualify for a primary. McKinney operatives believe GOP delegates are out of step with the broader Republican primary voters who will elevate him in an August primary.
Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti is also in the race for governor. Will he have enough delegate support to qualify? If not, will he end up as a lieutenant governor candidate?
Foley has not announced a running mate for governor. Will he embrace a running mate at the convention or will he just let the endorsement process for lieutenant governor play out? In primaries, candidates for lieutenant governor run individually. Governor and lieutenant governor run as a ticket in the general election. In fact, in 2010, Boughton ran on the line of Michael Fedele who challenged Foley in a primary. Boughton ran ahead of Lisa Wilson-Foley who ran on Foley’s line for lieutenant governor. Foley and Boughton were thrown together in the general election when Foley lost a close race to Malloy.
That same dynamic could also happen this year. State Rep. Penny Bacchiochi who’s been running for lieutenant governor for nearly a year has been working the Republican insiders longer than Walker. But Walker has shown fundraising strength and is picking up delegate support. Heather Bond Somers, former mayor of Groton, is also a candidate for lieutenant governor. Months ago Boughton had announced her as a running mate, but Republican party insiders say that might not materialize given the convention dynamics.
Candidates for lieutenant governor can also pool money to help candidates for governor qualify for the labor-intensive grant from the state’s Citizens Election Program of publicly financed races. Candidates for governor must raise $250,000 in small donations to qualify for a public primary grant of $1.3 million. The grant for lieutenant governor is $406,000.
So Walker’s in play for a ballot spot, the larger question is where will he end up?
Now the question is will David Walker bring in the Koch brothers or will it be one of the other Republican candidates?
Ron, what about George Soros, the billionaire who funds Democratic candidates, I guess that’s all right.
Andrew C Fardy, the Koch brothers are playing an influential role in the drive to strip public employee unions of their rights to bargain in several U.S. states. Now tell me where is George Soros trying to drive to strip public employee unions of their right to bargain?
If the State’s unfunded pension liabilities and other retirement benefits are added to the debt, this State has 54 billion in obligations. That is worse than Detriot. This figure is from the Independent CPA’S in Connecticut. Mr.Walker, what would you do about that?
Charlie, you can read “Comeback America” but Walker would do away with public pensions.
Why do you dislike David Walker so much?
Mustang Sally, just read my prior post.
Private savings make anyone an instant asset while public pensions make anyone a long-term liability.
Ron,
Walker would not be doing away with or taking away your “public pension.” I believe you know that, but since you fail to say your retired position is relatively safe, for a number of reasons as a Pension A beneficiary, it may seem to some you oppose Walker because he will change your pension benefits.
As you also recognize, defined benefit pensions are almost gone from private companies. They are still popular in government service and where unions are strong. Otherwise, defined contribution plans are the rule for most people who earn income and desire to shelter some saving today from taxation so that it may grow to provide income when “retirement” seems possible, including 401k, 403b and IRA plans.
Many recent government employees are accustomed to coverage under defined contribution plans. These plans shift investment risk and mortality risk on the worker who becomes a retiree (and spouse survivor). And that is a savings to the taxpayer-employer ultimately which we all are at some level.
Ron, when you read “Comeback America,” where did you see Walker said he “would do away with public pensions?” Can you find the line? I can’t. And if you cannot find where Walker says what you quote him for, perhaps you will let us know. Does that seem fair to you? Time will tell.
John Marshall Lee, I have not read “Comeback America,” Jennifer Buchanan’s post “Comeback America” a review by Jon Stewart
thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/rv2vj4/david-walker
Walker tells Stewart all things must be added up to see where we are. Well let me ask this, how far back are we going in history to start adding things up? “Comeback America,” come back to what?
Charlie, read Comeback America–the solutions are written there. Here is a review by Jon Stewart if you need it.
thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/rv2vj4/david-walker
Ron will read Comeback America when it’s rewritten by an African American liberal.
Joel Gonzalez, seeing as I’m a little slow, maybe you can tell me all the wonderful things in Comeback America for Hispanics.
I can only hope my Connecticut experiences in abused tax charges will be corrected by David Walker. I only have hope in this system at this point.
And Ron, there is room for you, joint us.
Black Rockin, how can David Walker correct abused tax charges and what is his policy on anything? Do you think enough Democrats know who David Walker is because the Republican ticket must have some of their voters to vote for Walker?