Supporters Like What They Have in Hovey

MONROE – Hard working, dependable and approachable were common adjectives used to describe state Rep. DebraLee Hovey (R-112) at a Sunday afternoon meet and greet at Monroe First Selectman Steve Vavrek's house.

Guests, most of whom were there in support of Hovey, enjoyed a spread of gourmet hamburgers, pastries, crackers and cheese and talked politics over cold drinks around a table in the backyard.

Hovey, who has been in office for eight years and whose district includes a portion of Newtown, is trying to fend off a challenge from Monroe Town Councilwoman Michele Mount, a Democrat she beat handily two years ago in the same race.

Mount plans to scrutinize Hovey's record, a tactic the incumbent said she welcomes.

"I have consistently brought home the bacon, so to speak, and advocated for my community consistently," Hovey said. "I consistently voted for transparancy, accountability and reduced government."

Hovey said government was originally designed to provide the things people could not, such as education, health care, transportation and infrastructure.

"We've gone so far beyond that," she said. "The reason we are a two-party system is for checks and balances...I'm part of the checks and balances. You see me voting against mandates, against out-of-control government, and for accountability."

Hovey questioned Mount's motives for entering the race.

"My opponent's only response to why she's running is that I should be opposed," Hovey said. "She has to think of things to be negative about, but never talks about what she is going to bring to the table."

In a telephone interview Sunday night, Mount said Hovey has not been listening.

"I want to bring a new and fresh perspective to the capital," said Mount, an attorney and former lobbyist for the city of Bridgeport. "I worked successfully on both sides of the aisle. I want to be part of the solution and not walk away from the table."

Mount said her campaign is about education, health care and job creation.

"I don't think anybody in this political climate would run, unless they think they can do a better job," she said. "I don't think anyone looking at this election would think someone would be running for the heck of it."

Mount is seeking public financing but Hovey is not using it in this election — though she did two years ago.

"We're raising private funds and it makes it harder," Gary Scrofani, treasurer for Hovey's campaign, said. "We're trying to keep it private. Nobody likes to ask for money. Times are tough and people don't have a lot to give. But when they donate, it shows people like what you're doing."

Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra, also a Republican, said Hovey is an accessible legislator who gets involved advocating on behalf of Newtown even on issues that don't directly impact her district.

For instance, when Newtown challenged United Water Co. over plans to extend a waterline from the Pootatuck aquifer into Brookfield, Hovey, along with other General Assembly members, wrote to state regulators in support of Newtown.

"That's one of the best things about DebraLee," Llodra said. "She is just one of our legislators."

The 112^th District includes all of Monroe and a small portion of Newtown, mostly south of Berkshire Road and Huntington Road and east of Toddy Hill Road.

The rest of Newtown falls under the 106^th District, which is covered by state Rep. Chris Lyddy, a Democrat who is being challenged by Republican Newtown Legislative Council member George Ferguson. Because most voters in Newtown cast a ballot in that election, the race for the 112^th District is less well-known, which makes Hovey less of a recognized name, Llodra said.

"People in Newtown don't have the opportunity to vote for her," Llodra said. "There is very little discussion in Newtown on what the issues are. It's usually all Monroe issues."

In Monroe, Vavrek said he talks to Hovey once a week and has a formal meeting once a month. The first selectman credits her with helping to influence legislation allowing the Jewish Home for the Elderly to come to Monroe.

Monroe got an exemption, allowing the nursing home to be closer to other ones, according to Hovey.

"DebraLee is a proven hard worker, very bipartisan, she has a history of working with people on both sides of the aisle," Vavrek said. "She's very accessible. That's what we need in a state representative. Every time constituents need something from her, she gets right back. I admire her.

"I've been in politics since 1993 and she's the best I've seen."

Newtown Patch editor Hoa Nguyen contributed to this report.