The Connecticut Republican Primary On Tuesday August 14th-Part 2-The Governor

For remaining Connecticut voters who both are registered as either a Democrat or as a Republican there will be a primary this Tuesday August 14th to choose candidates for state wide offices.  This column is a continuation of yesterday's endorsements for the Republican primary.  Today I will examine the candidates for Governor and make my endorsement.
Sixteen candidates declared their intentions to run for Governor before the state convention.  Five are remaining vying for the victory on Tuesday.  Three have no political experience and two have political experience.  The Connecticut Republican Party once again has the non politician rich person influence in their candidates as has been seen over the years starting way back in 1992 when millionaire Brook Johnson defeated Convention endorsed United States Senate candidate Chris Burnham in a primary.  Johnson then lost to Chris Dodd in the general election and was never heard from again.  Connecticut is in horrific economic shape with one of the highest aggregate tax rates in the country, $80 billion dollars of short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities and is at or near the bottom of 50 states in the areas of business development, business creation, new jobs created (less than 6000 jobs  since 1989.)
Coming out of the state convention Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton won the party nomination with one vote over the 50% needed to gain the nomination on the third ballot.  Boughton ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2010 with unsuccessful candidate Tom Foley.  He was also a State Representative from 1999 to 2003.  In my opinion he is a moderate/liberal Republican who has done a good job in Danbury which has traditionally been Democratic.  His 10 point platform includes phasing out the state income tax over ten years, cutting state spending, and making Connecticut business friendly again to name several areas.  His plan can be viewed at boughton2018.com/10-point-plan.  Boughton is an interesting candidate as he does have experience in Hartford as a former legislator and knows the bureaucracy of Hartford.
Gaining enough delegate support out of the convention to primary Boughton is former Trumbull Selectman Tim Herbst.  Herbst is a principled conservative in our liberal state.  Depending on what you read Herbst either saved Trumbull financially or has driven Trumbull to the ground.  In my opinion he did what he needed to do in Trumbull to get it back on its feet financially and helped grow the town economically.  I do know that he raised taxes there due to state mandated programs that the town was required to provide, however this is an issue in all 169 Connecticut towns and cities including in fiscally conservative Wallingford (where taxes have been raised under a fiscally conservative Republican Mayor).  Herbst ran for State Treasurer in 2014 losing by less than 20,000 votes in that election showing to me that he has both name recognition and is electable on a state level.  He is offering an exceptional plan to help restore law and order in Connecticut and is offering also a strong economic plan.  His website offers more information at timforconnecticut.com.
The third candidate that came out of the Convention with enough support to enter the  primary was non politician Steve Obsitnik who is a Navy Veteran and a High-Tech CEO.  He offers an outsider view of the states problems and has major plans to help create jobs in the state.  He offers his ideas and platforms on his website steveobsitnik.com.
The two other candidates who are running for Governor petitioned their way on the primary ballot avoiding the state convention.  In my opinion this is both good and bad.  Good in the sense that they are saving their money and resources to avoid the convention while bad in that they are ignoring the party process and its local towns and cities committees to get their points across.
Bob Stefanowski who was a registered Democrat in October 2016 then registered as a Republican in July 2017 and has not voted in any elections for 16 years is a self funded candidate running in this primary.  His economic plan that was developed with Dr. Arthur Laffer includes phasing the corporate income tax and business equity tax over two years, phasing out the state income tax over eight years and the elimination of the estate tax.  His plan can be viewed at bobforgovernor.com/economic-plan.  Stefanowski has a hard core group of supporters but I question his lack of votes over the years.
David Stemerman is also running a self funded campaign and has similar economic plans as the other candidates looking also at public/private partnerships to help rebuild the states infrastructure.  In my opinion he is the most analytical of all of the candidates and has a strong background to start the long process of fixing Connecticut.  His platforms can be viewed at davidstemerman.com
Five candidates running who to vote for?  I have been inundated with mail, email, phone calls, calls from friends all urging me to vote for their choice.  Each candidate has strong qualities and each candidate has weaknesses.  One will win on Tuesday.
I am going to vote for Tim Herbst.  I know my decision will upset some voters and will be embraced by some voters.  In personally talking to him, reading his platforms, studying his record and campaigns, I feel Tim Herbst has the drive and determination to take back Connecticut this November.  His youth which many feel is bad, (I ran for Town Council In North Branford when I was 22 years old back in 1981) is an asset in my opinion.  He is and has been a principled conservative in our liberal state.  I believe after much study, analysis and thought a Herbst/Markley ticket can be the impetus for the overdue change in Hartford's government. 
I know many feel the same way as I do.  Good luck to all Republican candidates on Tuesday.

The Connecticut Republican Primary On Tuesday August 14th-Part 1

For remaining Connecticut voters who both are registered as either a Democrat or as a Republican there will be a primary this Tuesday August 14th to choose candidates for state wide offices.
I will not be examining any Democrat candidates in this column as I am not a Democrat and I feel they have a made a mockery of our state by allowing an ex felon to run for Governor.  They also in my opinion have run the state into the ground economically and morally.
Thus there are several candidates running on the Republican side that in my opinion are worthy of your vote if you are a Republican voting on Tuesday.  I have already endorsed what I feel is the best Republican candidate overall for public office State Senator Joe Markely for Lieutenant Governor.  Senator Markley is a principled conservative who has been an outspoken critic of Governor Malloy and his tax and spend policies.  Senator Markley has been a champion of Connecticut taxpayers fighting against the economically illogical tax increases that the Governor Malloy has forced upon the state. He believes and has fought for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and personal liberty throughout his political career and has stayed true to his conservative principles throughout his terms as State Senator.  By far and wide he is the choice for lieutenant governor.
For United States Senate I favor Dominic Rapini who is a political outsider running against the Chris Murphy do nothing political machine.  His beliefs are logical and needed for our state and our country.
From his website: www.dominicforsenate.us/about
Pragmatism Before Ideology - Find the practical solutions to the problems before us instead of being limited to party philosophy and group-think. Put Connecticut before politics.
Freedom - The defining principle of a conservative is freedom. Freedom of choice, freedom of speech, freedom from undue interference by government and freedom to be personally responsible for our lives.
All Ideas Matter - Embrace opposition and consider all points of view with respect and be unafraid to consider new ideas and to enter into respectful debate. This is also known as listening.
Do Good, Not What Feels Good - Every solution must be measured by the good it accomplishes and not by how good it makes us feel. Money in a tin cup makes us feel good, but finding sustainable funding to relieve homelessness achieves something meaningful.
Less is More - Sometimes the most powerful and courageous word for a leader is the word ‘No’. We must always be prepared to say no to the regulations, legislations, or funding requests that fail to provide clear changes or benefits to Connecticut or our nation.
Pragmatism Before Ideology - Find the practical solutions to the problems before us instead of being limited to party philosophy and group-think. Put Connecticut before politics.
Freedom - The defining principle of a conservative is freedom. Freedom of choice, freedom of speech, freedom from undue interference by government and freedom to be personally responsible for our lives.
All Ideas Matter - Embrace opposition and consider all points of view with respect and be unafraid to consider new ideas and to enter into respectful debate. This is also known as listening.
Do Good, Not What Feels Good - Every solution must be measured by the good it accomplishes and not by how good it makes us feel. Money in a tin cup makes us feel good, but finding sustainable funding to relieve homelessness achieves something meaningful.
Less is More - Sometimes the most powerful and courageous word for a leader is the word ‘No’. We must always be prepared to say no to the regulations, legislations, or funding requests that fail to provide clear changes or benefits to Connecticut or our nation.

Pragmatism Before Ideology - Find the practical solutions to the problems before us instead of being limited to party philosophy and group-think. Put Connecticut before politics.
Freedom - The defining principle of a conservative is freedom. Freedom of choice, freedom of speech, freedom from undue interference by government and freedom to be personally responsible for our lives.
All Ideas Matter - Embrace opposition and consider all points of view with respect and be unafraid to consider new ideas and to enter into respectful debate. This is also known as listening.
Do Good, Not What Feels Good - Every solution must be measured by the good it accomplishes and not by how good it makes us feel. Money in a tin cup makes us feel good, but finding sustainable funding to relieve homelessness achieves something meaningful.
Less is More - Sometimes the most powerful and courageous word for a leader is the word ‘No’. We must always be prepared to say no to the regulations, legislations, or funding requests that fail to provide clear changes or benefits to Connecticut or our nation.
My column from 6/23/18 discussed the excellent qualifications for Sue Hatfield for Attorney General.  Her qualifications and experience make her an excellent choice for a pro business and economic growth Attorney General.
For Treasurer I support Thad Gray.  He offers professional experience to handle the complexities of this position in a non political manner.  
From his website he offers his platform:  thadforct.com
*Manage state pension plans professionally to achieve the highest possible return.
*Protect the public interest by making sound investment decisions with no political or social agenda.
*Strongly advocate structural reforms to address Connecticut’s massive unfunded pension liabilities.
*Provide direct communication to beneficiaries and taxpayers, whose security depends on successful investment results.  
For Comptroller I support Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller who has done an excellent job in turning his town around financially.  You can read more about him at his website: kurtforct.com
Part 2 will be my discussion and endorsement for Governor.

Republican Sue Hatfield For Attorney General

As the primary season heats up there are also under ticket campaigns going on.  Several weeks ago I endorsed State Senator Joe Markley for Lieutenant Governor.  Today I am looking at the Attorney General race.  Connecticut's Attorney General is an important position as it defends the state itself, its agencies and holds representation for its citizens.  One may remember several years ago when we subjected to the tyranny of Attorney General now United States Senator Richard Blumenthal as he proceeded to attack many businesses in the state through massive litigation (for example the nightmare Valerie Hoffman, a vendor of herbs and tea went through).  Blumenthal was ranked the second worse Attorney General in the country in 2010 by the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Blumenthal as Attorney General got an "F" grade in each of the four judging criteria by the Institute that included ethical breaches and selective application of the law, fabricating law, usurping legislative powers and predatory practices.  He loved to sue utilizing Connecticut Taxpayers monies to his political gain.  Makes you wonder why he is our Senator today?
The office then moved to the passive pro Democrat Party terms of George Jepsen who is all things Democrat for his party.  He ruled naturally that the Connecticut State Constitutional Spending Cap voted into law legally was illegal and unconstitutional.  The Connecticut Democrat Party has held the Attorney General seat since 1954.  The combined records of Blumenthal and Jepsen are poor and horrific at best putting their politic careers and nepotism above the law.  
Sue Hartfield received the Republican nomination for Attorney General and is being forced into a primary by John Shaban.  

I am voting for and urge my readers to support Sue Hatfield for Attorney General.  She is a breath of fresh air for this office as she has taken strong stands for personal and individual liberties in our state and is also interested in saving Connecticut Taxpayers monies by "review of state contracts and bond packages to root out waste, fraud and abuse that heap needless costs on overburdened state taxpayers."  On the subject of forced union dues she believes in: "State law should protect state employees from being forced to donate part of their salaries to support the political action funds of state employee unions. Laws governing the state’s collective bargaining process are up to the General Assembly, but I support a more balanced and transparent bargaining process, including Right to Work legislation, which would help the state compete for business and jobs."  https://www.hatfield2018.com/ 

She is also a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and is against Sanctuary Cities.  

Sue Hatfield is an excellent candidate for our new Attorney General.  I believe she will restore confidence to this office and not use it for personal glorification nor political gain.  It is time to take back this office from the exploitation that has occurred during the Blumenthal and Jepsen regimes.  

Republican Joe Markley For Connecticut's Lieutenant Governor

As the race in Connecticut for Governor continues to heat up, there is an excellent declared candidate for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.  Republican State Senator Joe Markley from the 16th District is running for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.  Senator Markley is a principled conservative who has been an outspoken critic of Governor Malloy and his tax and spend policies.  Senator Markley has been a champion of Connecticut taxpayers fighting against the economically illogical tax increases that the Governor has forced upon the state.  Senator Markley also fought again the assisted suicide bill that did not make it out of committee.  His reasoning behind his vote against Andrew McDonald for Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court shows the great thought and research he places on each issue that comes before him in the Senate.  You can watch it at   http://ctsenaterepublicans.com/2018/03/my-vote-on-justice-mcdonald/#.Wr9m-4Ih2qA
He believes and has fought for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and personal liberty throughout his political career.
Time and time again Senator Markley has stayed true to his conservative principles throughout his terms as State Senator.  His beliefs and ability to articulate issues is unsurpassed in the State Senate.   Senator Markley's greatest effectiveness will be found as the new lieutenant governor for Connecticut.  More information can be found on him at https://markleyforlg.com/ and also at http://ctsenaterepublicans.com/home-markley/.
It is time for a change in the Connecticut political regime.  It is time for Connecticut Republicans to unite behind Senator Markley for lieutenant governor and his platforms.  I support him and I urge my readers to support him also.