Ellington & Somers Election Guide 2012

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Ellington-Somers 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 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.

 (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.

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. Joe Courtney (D): Courtney 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.

Connecticut State House of Representatives 57th District

Christopher Davis (R-Ellington): Elected for the first time in 2010, Davis will once again seek this seat. , Davis said that if he is re-elected, he will continue the fight for lower taxes, limited spending, and smaller government in order to provide common sense solutions to the state’s mounting issues. He is currently the youngest serving member of the General Assembly.

Jason Bowsza (D): The East Windsor Board of Finance chairman was to challenge Davis. He was elected to the board in 2007 and in his acceptance speech, spoke of his work this year to bridge a sharply partisan divide and pass a budget unanimously.

Connecticut State House of Representatives 52nd District

Penny Bacchiochi (R-Somers): Bacchiochi has been elected to this seat since 2002. At her , she pledged to continue to seek out fiscal responsibility by the state, maintaining and improving the public safety, and reducing government infringement on a person’s rights. 

Christopher Grohs (D): Grohs, who lives in Stafford Springs, is a 2009 graduate from UConn. He is a metal fabricator at American Design and Manufacturing in South Windsor. 

Connecticut State Senate 3rd District

Gary D. LeBeau (D-Ellington): LeBeau, Senate chairman of the Commerce Committee and deputy president pro tempore of the Senate, is seeking his ninth two-year term. He was in May and has been praised for his dedication and tireless work in the legislature, championing job creation, business development, education reform, and other issues important to voters.

Hector Reveron (R): Reveron, 38, was born and raised in New York City and moved to Connecticut in 1999. He is currently employed by Pratt & Whitney as a jet engine test technician. Reveron is the East Hartford Republican Town Committee 1st District Chairman and has volunteered in both George Bush campaigns.

Connecticut State Senate 35th District

Tony Guglielmo (R-Ellington): After 20 years in office, Guglielmo is one of the longest-serving State Senators in Hartford. He is ranking member on the Labor and Public Employees Committee and the Public Safety Committee. He also is a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, Legislative Program and Review and Investigation Committee and the Internship Committee. On the state level, Guglielmo is a member and past chairman of the UConn Parents Committee and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

Susan Eastwood (D): Eastwood, who two years ago had the best showing ever against Guglielmo, will once again challenge the incumbent. At her , Eastwood said she is running for office "because everyone in our community should have access to great opportunities - the opportunity for a great public education, to start a local business, access to quality and affordable health care, to a clean and a sustainable environment and an affordable retirement." 

Connecticut State Senator 7th District

John Kissel (R-Somers): Kissel is currently serving his 10th term and was . He is the Senate's Ranking Member on the Committees on Judiciary and Program Review and Investigations. He also serves on the General Law Committee. Kissel is currently Chief Deputy Minority Leader as well. He said that if re-elected, he will continue to push for policies aimed at job creation and retention. 

Karen Jarmoc (D): The former state representative was and will challenge in incumbent Kissel. Jarmoc served as state representative for the 59th District from 2007-2010. She stepped down from that seat to challenge Kissel in 2010, but fell short by just under a thousand votes. While serving in the House, Jarmoc worked on issues such as protecting children in this recession, safe work conditions for correctional employees, and small business.