Politics & Government

Suffield Election Guide 2012

The candidates, incumbents and issues that will be affecting Suffield and the area.

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Suffield 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 Massachusetts 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.

Find out what's happening in Suffieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 (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.

Find out what's happening in Suffieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lee Whitnum (unaffiliated): The Greenwich resident sparked 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.

Second Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Joseph Courtney (D): Courtney, a Vernon resident, was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006. He was endorsed by his party in May for his fourth term. Courtney, of Vernon,  during the BRAC hearings.

Paul Formica (R): East Lyme's first selectman was , despite having announced his entry into the race less than a week before the party gathered.

Daria Novak (R): Novak failed in her bid to be the Republican candidate in 2010. Despite being the party-endorsed candidate, she lost a primary to Janet Peckinpaugh, who then lost to Courtney. Novak lost to Formica at the convention but has announced her intention to primary.

61st District State Representative

Elaine O'Brien (D): A Suffield resident, O'Brien is completing her first term in office. During her first two years, O'Brien has introduced a number of bills to the general assembly, including acts concerning the desecration of war or veterans' memorials, an act concerning urban revitalization, an act concerning the state's military facilities and an act concerning special education programs in the state.

Tami Zawistowski (R): She says she's running for two reasons: the inability to continue to pay rising taxes under Gov. Malloy's "tax and spend policies;" and the stories of her unemployed or underemployed neighbors.

Seventh District State Senator

John Kissel (R): Kissel is finishing his tenth term as the 7th Senatorial district's representative in the capitol. He's the ranking member of the Senate's judiciary, and program review and investigations committees.

Karen Jarmoc (D): Jarmoc, a former state representative of the 59th District, unsuccessfully challenged Kissel in 2010, but the loss was by fewer than one thousand votes. She says Suffield needs someone who "can initiate and get things done." She worked on a number of issues in the State House, including safer work conditions for correctional employees and legislation protecting children during the nation's recession.


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