Change for certain in next legislature

(June 17, 2008) One thing for certain in next year’s General Assembly is change, with nearly two dozen current lawmakers either not seeking re-election this November or running for other offices. In addition, some incumbent legislators are being challenged for their party’s nomination in primary elections this summer.

• Eighteen state representatives have said they will not seek re-election to the House.
• Four members of the Senate will not seek re-election in the fall.

Currently, the House has 107 Democrats and 44 Republicans; the Senate has 23 Democrats and 13 Republicans.

The most dramatic change in 2009 could be in the leadership of the House of Representatives. The departure of Speaker of the House Jim Amann (D-Milford) almost certainly means that current House Majority Leader Chris Donovan (D-Meriden) will become the next speaker. And that likely opens the majority leader’s door to Rep. Denise Merrill (D-Storrs).

Not seeking re-election
Here is an overview of state lawmakers not returning to their current seats in the legislature next year:

Rep. James Amann (D-Milford)
Rep. Ron Burns (R-Bristol)
Rep. Michael Caron(R-Danielson)
Rep. Michael Christ (D-East Hartford)
Rep. William Dyson (D-New Haven)
Rep. Ruth Fahrbach (R-Windsor)
Rep. Art Feltman (D-Hartford)
Sen. Judith Freedman (R-Westport)
Rep. Leonard Greene (R-Beacon Falls)
Sen. Thomas Herlihy (R-Weatogue)
Sen. William Nickerson (R-Greenwich)
Rep. Peter Panaroni, Jr (D-Branford)
Rep. Walter Pawelkiewicz (D-Windham)
Rep. Claudia Powers (R-Riverside)
Rep. Felipe Reinoso (D-Bridgeport)
Rep. John Ryan (R-Darien)
Rep. Chris Stone (D-East Hartford)
Rep Christel Truglia (D-Stamford)
Rep. Julia Wasserman (R-Sandy Hook)

In addition, Rep. Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) and Rep. Kevin Witkos (R-Canton) are running for open state Senate seats. And Sen. David Cappiello (R-Danbury) is running for Congress in the 5th District.

Connecticut needs a state legislature that understands how important a healthy economy is to the people of the state and which will work to nurture one. That’s why CBIA is encouraging the association's members to become aware of state legislative races in their communities and urge candidates to improve the economy.