West Hartford Election Guide 2012

As we look ahead to November’s elections, West Hartford Patch 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.

U.S. Senate

 (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.

Fifth State Senate District

Beth Bye (R): Beth Bye was elected as State Senator in 2010 to represent West Hartford as well as Bloomfield, Burlington, and Farmington. She was formerly a state legislator from the 19th district.

In the Senate, Bye is co-chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee and is a member of the Appropriations, Education, Internship, and Judiciary committees.

Bye was named “Legislator of the Year” in 2009 and 2011 by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance. She has been named one of a dozen “Environmental Champions” by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters. Even before she was elected to the General Assembly, Beth was recognized for her outstanding community work. The National Council of Jewish Women presented Beth with its “Women Who Dare Award” in 2002. Beth was named one of Connecticut Magazine’s “30 Young People of Influence.”

Justin Clark (R): Justin Clark is a member of the State Office of Governmental Accountability Judicial Review Council. According to their website, he is an associate with the law firm of Blackwell, Davis & Spadaccini, LLC. and maintains an active municipal practice. Clark was previously associated with Pepe & Hazard, and prior to that clerked for the Honorable Peter T. Zarella of the Connecticut Supreme Court. He was appointed as a member of the Judicial Review Council in December 2008. Clark’s family has lived in West Hartford for three generations, and he is a graduate of Conard High School, Weslyan University, and UConn Law School. https://twitter.com/chefjclark

18th House District

Andy Fleischmann (D): Fleischmann, of West Hartford, serves as Chairman of the Legislature's Education Committee. He also chairs the Subcommittee for Education on the Appropriations Committee and serves on the Government Administration and Elections Committee. He has been a member of the legislature since 1994, and works as President and CEO of Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Laura Grondin (R): Grondin is a resident of West Hartford and CEO of Virginia Industries, Inc. She also serves on the New England Advisory Council to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. She was recently honored for her volunteerism at the "Wonder Women ... Women Helping Women" benefit for the Malta House of Care. http://www.facebook.com/#!/laura.grondin.10

19th House District

Brian Becker (D): Becker, of West Hartford, is finishing his first term in the House. He serves on the Legislature's Commerce, Energy and Technology, and Program Review and Investigations Committees. He practices law at Becker Law Offices in West Hartford.

Jon Landry (R): Landry is a Farmington resident and member of the town's Board of Education, where he has been a voice for fiscal conservatism since he was appointed in 2009. He previously served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and is a member of many local organizations.

20th House District

Joe Verrengia (D): West Hartford resident Verrengia was a three-term incumbent on the West Hartford Town Council before leaving to serve the 20th House District in Hartford. He also served as a Commissioner to the Metropolitan District Commission. Verengia has been a member of the West Hartford Police Department for 22 years. In the Legislature, he serves on the Judiciary, Commerce and the Transportation Committees.

Chad Thompson (R): Thompson, a West Hartford resident, also ran for the Connecticut State House in 2004 and 2008.  http://www.facebook.com/#!/chad.thompson.543?sk=info