Tolland County's Ackert On Lt. Governor Bid: 'This Is An Opportunity To Do More'

COVENTRY, CT — Tim Ackert was asked a logical, if not obvious question.

You've been a state legislator for a number of years and a respected one. You're 63 years old and own a successful business ... so why?

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Why lieutenant governor?

Ackert was quick to respond, even quicker than his reputation for being quick to respond.

"Maybe I'm supposed to slow down at my age. But this is an opportunity to do more," he said. "I welcome that opportunity."

Ackert has served as the state representative for Connecticut's 8th House District, which encompasses Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Lebanon, and part of Tolland for 16 years.

He has served on the Labor and Public Employees Committee, the Energy and Technology Committee and the General Law Committee. Ackert has been the House Republican Caucus deputy leader at-large. Ackert has run a Coventry-based electrical contracting business for more than three decades. He's A U.S. Air Force Veteran.

He has also served his hometown in a number of capacities.

That apparently has not been enough because, this week, Ackert announced his intention to campaign for lieutenant governor and team up with Republican gubernatorial candidate Erin Stewart.

"Not many have the 16 years experience I do," Ackert said. "This is another opportunity to get stuff done, to partner up with the Erin Stewart campaign, run against the state's one-party system and start more dialogue and get more balance."

He continued, "Erin has 12 years of experience as the executive in her community (New Britain). No team can come close to that."

In keeping with his theme of "getting things done," Ackert reflected on his Air Force experience. He learned how to be an electrician in the military and his job was to head into a hot zone and help "set up tent cities," for the forces soon to be deployed.

His forward deployment is now raising funds and hitting the campaign trail.

"I have state and community involvement that goes back decades," he said. "I can now have an impact in a different way. I will focus 100 percent on the lieutenant governor's job because my business is in good shape (with his son and staff) and I'm ready for it."