#Middlebury #Elections
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
Tuesday, Nov. 6, is Election Day. Both Middlebury voting districts will cast their ballots at Shepardson Community Center between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Voters will choose candidates for local, state and federal offices and also will vote on two Connecticut constitutional amendments, one to ensure funds in the Special Transportation Fund be used solely for transportation purposes and one to require public hearings and legislation for the transfer, sale or disposition of state-owned or state-controlled real property.
The statewide races start with the top slots, governor and lieutenant-governor. Neither Gov. Dan Malloy nor Lieutenant-governor Nancy Wyman is seeking reelection. Voters will find five pairs of candidates for those positions on the ballot: Democrat Ned Lamont is running for governor with Susan Bysiewicz for lieutenant governor. They also are endorsed by the Working Families Party. Republican candidates for these offices are Bob Stefanowski and Joe Markley, who also are endorsed by the Independent Party. The Libertarian Party candidates are Rodney Hanscomb and Jeffrey Thibeault, the Amigo Constitution Liberty Party candidates are Mark Stewart Greenstein and John Demitrus, and the Griebel Frank for CT Party candidates are Oz Griebel and Monte E. Frank.
For U.S. Senate, Democratic incumbent Christopher S. Murphy is being challenged by Republican Matthew Corey, Libertarian Party candidate Richard Lion and Green Party candidate Jeff Russell. Murphy also is endorsed by the Working Families Party.
Former Rep. Elizabeth Esty, a Democrat, had been expected to run again for the 5th Congressional District seat. She was elected in 2012 and reelected in 2014 and 2016. However, Esty chose not to run for reelection following criticism of the way she handled accusations of sexual harassment and threats of violence by a staff member. The two candidates for Esty’s former seat are Democrat Jahana Hayes, also endorsed by the Working Families Party, and Republican Manny Santos, also endorsed by the Independent Party.
The only difference between the District 1 ballot and the District 2 ballot is in the race for State Senate. District 1 voters are in Senatorial District 32 while District 2 voters are in Senatorial District 15.
Voters in District 1 will be choosing between Republican incumbent Eric C. Berthel and Democrat Catherine P. DeCarli. Berthel was elected in a special election in February 2017 after Republican State Sen. Rob Kane resigned in January 2017 to become a state auditor.
For state senator in District 2, incumbent Democrat Joan Hartley is being challenged by Independent Party candidate James Russell.
For state representative, incumbent Republican Anthony J. D’Amelio is being challenged by two candidates, Democrat Stephen R. Ferrucci III and Independent Danielle N. Albert.
Four candidates are running for secretary of the state: incumbent Democrat Denise W. Merrill, who also is endorsed by the Working Families Party; Republican Susan Chapman, who also is endorsed by the Independent Party; Liberterian Heather Lynn Sylvestre Gwynn and Green Party candidate S. Michael DeRosa.
The current state treasurer, Denise L. Nappier, who was first elected in 1998, decided not to run for re-election. Three candidates are vying for her office: Democrat Shawn Wooden, Republican Thad Gray, and Libertarian Jesse Brolinsky. Wooden also is endorsed by the Working Families Party; Gray also is endorsed by the Independent Party.
The incumbent state comptroller, Democrat Kevin Lembo, has three challengers, Republican Kurt Miller, Libertarian Paul Passarelli and Green Party Edward G. Heflin. Lembo also is endorsed by the Working Families Party; Miller also is endorsed by the Independent Party.
Attorney General George Jepsen also decided not to run for re-election, and three candidates hope to become the new attorney general. They are Democrat William Tong, Republican Sue Hatfield and Green Party Peter D. Goselin. Tong also is endorsed by the Working Families Party; Miller also is endorsed by the Independent Party.
For judge of probate, Peter E. Mariano is running unopposed on both the Republic and Democratic Party lines.
Both Middlebury registrars of voters are on the ballot. Republican Nancy S. Robison is up for re-election, and Democrat Michael F. P. Watkins, who was appointed registrar after Thomas McCormack resigned earlier this year, is running for the first time. The ballot allows voters to choose one.
Voters also will decide the fate of two proposed constitutional amendments. A handout explaining the first proposed amendment says approval would impose constitutional protection on state transportation funding. It says these protections currently are established only in the Connecticut General Statutes. A handout explaining the second proposed amendment says approval would limit the General Assembly’s ability to pass legislation that requires a state agency to transfer any state real property or property interest to non-state entities. Copies of the two handouts are available in the Middlebury town clerk’s office in Middlebury Town Hall.
