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March 2010 —Vol. 88, No.2
2010 political races
The run-up to November
Business leaders can—and should—play an active role
in Connecticut’s candidate selection process
By Bill DeRosa
With open seats for U.S. Senate, governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of the state, and all state Senate and House seats up for grabs—many of which will be vacant due to retirements and incumbents running for higher office—the Nov. 2 election in Connecticut will likely garner more attention than any nonpresidential contest in a generation. Add to those factors the state’s precarious economic situation, high unemployment rate, and ongoing budget crisis, and you’ve got the makings for a high-octane political season in the Nutmeg State.
If the outcome of the Massachusetts Senate race back in January is any indication, voters’ dissatisfaction with government handling of the economy and fiscal matters will drive decision-making at the polls. “Candidates running for Congress, constitutional offices, and the state legislature in Connecticut are well aware of what happened north of the border,” says John Rathgeber, CBIA president and CEO. “That should mean we’ll see a lot more responsiveness in the campaigns to the things most Connecticut voters care about—the economy, jobs, and our failure to adequately address the state’s budget crisis. Candidates who fail to address those concerns do so at their political peril.”
Rathgeber points out that this kind of political climate gives business leaders a great opportunity to influence who gets nominated and help ensure that both major parties endorse candidates who will fight for a strong Connecticut economy and a fiscally responsible state government.
“It won’t be long before the media begins to focus on Nov. 2,” he says. “But between now and then, there’s a lot of work to be done and many opportunities for businesspeople to make a difference.”
Business experience preferred
One way to make a difference, says Rathgeber, is to support candidates who understand what it takes to operate a business in Connecticut and who realize the importance of private-sector growth to the state’s economy and employment outlook.
“We’re seeing fewer and fewer lawmakers who bring real-world business experience to the General Assembly,” he points out. “As a result, labor, tax, and other measures are often proposed—and supported—with little understanding of their consequences for the state’s business climate and economic well-being. As a business community, we need to do all we can to identify and support candidates who have an understanding of the fundamental role our employers play in economic growth and job creation.”
Competition welcome
The business community’s active involvement in the candidate selection process can also help remedy another troubling trend in Connecticut politics: the number of incumbents in the state legislature who run unopposed every two years.
“In 2008, more than a third of the candidates for the General Assembly did not face a major-party opponent,” says Lisa McGuire, CBIA director of public affairs and political expert. “When incumbents aren’t challenged, they may begin to lose touch with the concerns and needs of their districts and may not feel a sense of accountability. They may assume that they have a mandate to continue moving the state in a direction that, in reality, might not be in the best interest of the people they represent. Competition is always beneficial, whether in business or politics. It leads to constructive debate and sound decision-making.”
McGuire also believes that choice makes for a healthier democracy. “Why vote if the winner is a foregone conclusion?” she says. “When voters have options, they’re more apt to participate in the process, research the candidates, and make an educated decision in the voting booth.”
She suggests that by becoming involved in local or state politics and actively associating with like-minded people, members of the business community can encourage qualified people to run for the state legislature or other office (or even consider running themselves).
“Potential candidates will feel much more confident about taking that leap into public life when they know they have the active support of businesspeople and other community leaders.”
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