My blog post yesterday brought a lot of comments on various platforms about who to vote for in the Democratic Gubernatorial Primary. I am glad to see people very engaged in the process. I was disappointed at the number of people that focused on ‘character’ in the race, especially those talking about something lacking in the character of on candidate or another. As a person who has spent a fair amount of time with both Dan Malloy and Ned Lamont, I do not believe that there is a substantial difference in the character of the two candidates. They are both good people that want to do the best they can for our state.

Another discussion was about the rest of the ticket. Many people did not know a lot about the rest of the ticket. So, I am going to provide my biased view here.

Secretary of State

Denise Merrill is the Democratic Nominee for Secretary of State. She is currently the House Majority leader. She is being challenged by Gerry Garcia. Gerry is a financial advisor from New Haven. Both Denise and Gerry have called into Fiona’s radio show and I’ve spoken with both of them many times. Gerry has been running ads that attack Denise as if she somehow caused the financial crisis through her actions as House Majority leader. The attack is unfounded. In 2007, the Appropriations committee, which was co-led by Merrill at the time was awarded the Con Hogan Award for its work in results based accountability.

There was also the issue at the Democratic Convention where Waterbury delegates all voted for Garcia in exchange for all of the New Haven Delegates voting for Jarjura. If it wasn’t for this deal, Jarjura would not have been on the ballot. It got nasty on the floor as town chairs exerted strong influence over delegates in getting them to vote specific ways. I lost a bit of respect for Garcia for his involvement with this.

Based on this, I will be voting for Merrill. That said, Garcia would also be a good Secretary of State. He has run a strong campaign, particularly working to bring out new voters and I applaud him for that. I could be comfortable with either candidate.

Comptroller

State Healthcare Advocate Kevin Lembo is the Democratic nominee for comptroller. Kevin is great. I strongly urge people to watch the video in this diary. He is being challenged by Waterbury Mayor Mike Jarjura. I mentioned Jarjura in the Secretary of State’s race. Jarjura has run nasty ads attacking Lembo. I won’t give you my opinion of Jajura, because that would be much nastier than I believe we should have in politics. The choice is very clear. Kevin Lembo is the best candidate.

Lt. Governor

Before I leave the statewide offices, I should mention the Lt. Governor’s race. For everyone who is still conflicted or undecided in the Governor’s race, it is even more complicated. You do not vote for the Governor and Lt. Governor as a team. You can vote for either Gubernatorial candidate and either Lt. Governor candidate. As with the Governor’s race, but Lt. Governor candidates are also very good.

Current State Comptroller Nancy Wyman is running with Dan Malloy. I have the highest respect for Wyman and expect to vote for her, independent of what I decide to do in the Governor’s race. She is being challenged by Simsbury First Selectwoman Mary Glassman. Glassman ran in 2006 for Lt. Governor as Malloy’s running mate and ended up winning the Lt. Governor’s Democratic Primary to run in the general election as John DeStefano’s running mate. She is particularly strong on urban transit issues such as bicycles and trains and friends are supporting her for these stances. She would also be a great Lt. Governor.

State Senate

There is one Democratic State Senate primary. State Senator John Fonfara who co-chairs the Energy and Technology committee is being challenged by Ed Vargas. I know people that have been disappointed with Fonfara’s leadership in Energy and Technology, but I don’t know a lot more about him. I know even less about Vargas. However, Ken Krayeske has written his thoughts on a Vargas and Fonfara and has come out in favor of Vargas.

State Rep

There are a dozen Democratic State Representative primaries. I know less about these races and won’t go into as much for details. In the first assembly district, Representative Ken Green is being challenged by City Councilman Matt Ritter. You can read about the race in the Hartford Advocate

In the fourth district, State Rep Kevin Roldan is being challenged by Angel Morales. For more information, check the Hartford Courant article.

In the sixth district State Rep. Hector Robles is being challenged by Alyssa Peterson. I know nothing about this race.

The seventh district sees State Rep. Douglas McCrory challenged by City Councilwoman rJo Winch. Winch has had a strong Facebook presence, but a lot of detractor due to her closeness to Eddie Perez.

The fifteenth district has an exciting race. State Rep David Baram is being challenged by Connecticut AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Leo Canty and by James Michel. I don’t know much about Baram, but the little that I’ve heard is positive. Canty, however, I know a lot about and like him a lot. I know nothing about Michel.

The nineteenth district is an exciting race. Beth Bye, who is the incumbent is running for State Senate. Brian Becker and Terry Schmitt are vying for this position. I have friend supporting both candidates, but I don’t know more than that.

The 51st district has Daniel S Rovero running against Brian Lynch for Shawn Johnston’s old seat. Again, I know nothing about this race.

In the 91st district, State Rep Peter Villano is being challenged by former Hamden councilwoman Ann Altman. Altman has “a doctorate in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University” according to the article in the New Haven Register. Beyond that I don’t know much about either.

In the 92nd district, State Rep. Pat Dillon is being challenged by New Haven Alderman Sergio Rodriguez. The 92nd district is just down the road from where I live and I’ve seen lots of lawn signs for both candidates. The New Haven Independent has this story about the Dillon Rodriquez race. It is great to see competition for seats, but everyone I know loves Pat Dillon.

The 94th district has a similar dynamic where State Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield is being challenged by former alderman Willie Green. You can read more about this race, and people’s positions in this New Haven Independent article. Rep. Holder-Winfield has been a star in the state legislature and the day that I don’t see him as State Rep I hope will be the day that he has moved on to a larger office.

The 96th district is a very interesting and exciting race. New Haven Alderman Roland Lemar and Debra Hauser are fighting it out for the seat that State Rep. Cam Staples has held. Friends of mine are supporting Hauser. Other friends are supporting Lemar. Hauser has opted out of the Citizens’ Election Program, which I believe was a mistake, and I don’t believe she has connected as well with people from various communities in New Haven as she needs to. With that, I’m leaning towards Lemar, but either would be good State Reps.

For a glimpse at the possible results, I encourage people to check this cached page from CTN as they prepare for this evening’s coverage.