Enfield Election Guide 2012

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Enfield 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.

 (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. 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.

58th District State Representative

(D): The seven-term incumbent narrowly gained the endorsement of Enfield Democrats after a special elections panel disallowed the use of proxy votes. She serves as a Deputy Majority Leader in the House. "I am excited to now move forward, get on with the campaign, and discuss the issues important to my constituents," she said.

(D): Alexander originally prevailed at the Democratic Committee's election, but the decision was overturned by the disallowment of proxy votes. He collected enough signatures to force an Aug. 14 primary. "The message in Enfield is clear," he said. "Change is coming to the 58^th District, and the state of Connecticut. I look forward to a spirited debate and to prevailing on August 14.”

(R): The former finance chairman for the Enfield Board of Education unsuccessfully challenged Tallarita for the seat in 2010. “I’m running for this office because I care about my community," he said. "I served eight years in the military because I cared about my country. I’m running for State Representative because I care about Enfield.”

59th District State Representative

(D): Democrat incumbent David Kiner was endorsed by his party for a second term in the 59th District, which now consists of the eastern portion of Enfield and the northwest corner of East Windsor. In his acceptance speech, Kiner pledged to put East Windsor and Enfield above partisanship, just as he has done throughout his first term. Kiner said, “Finding solutions in challenging times requires courage and commitment, not political rhetoric.”

(R): Enfield Town Councilman Joe Bosco, a local business owner who is serving his third term on the Council, was nominated by Republicans in May. “With the legislature's spending habits out of control, and the state's economic climate still a mess, I just can't sit back and let David go unopposed in November,” Bosco said in his acceptance speech. “He's voted for every tax, and he's never stood up for us. When you're in a hole, you should stop digging. You don't get a bigger shovel - you stop.”

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 Enfield 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.