Former GOP Senate Leader Backs Herbst For Governor

TRUMBULL, CT — Former state senate GOP leader and governor candidate John McKinney endorsed Tim Herbst for governor.

"We all know that our state is in trouble. If we are going to save Connecticut, reverse the damage done by Dan Malloy and the Democrats in Hartford and restore prosperity, then we must nominate a Republican candidate for Governor who can win in November and who will fight fearlessly for hardworking taxpayers once in office," McKinney said in a statement. "I believe that candidate is Tim Herbst."

He went on to say Herbst has a track record of winning tough elections including beating a Democrat incumbent to become first selectman when he was 29-years-old.

“John McKinney has dedicated much of his life to electing Republican candidates for office and fighting for a stronger and more prosperous future for the State of Connecticut," Herbst said. "John truly cares about restoring prosperity to our state and I am incredibly honored and humbled to have his support and endorsement."

Below is McKinney's full letter he sent to the Fairfield Republican Town Committee about Herbst:

Dear Friend,
As a kid growing up in Fairfield, I would often spend time during campaign season
stuffing envelopes, passing out palm cards at the train station or putting up lawn
signs for Fairfield Republicans, people like my father Stew McKinney, Carl Dickman,
Jacky Durrell, Dan Caruso and so many more. In 1998, I was honored to receive the
endorsement of the Fairfield RTC as your candidate for the State Senate and for 16
years I had the privilege of representing you in Hartford. Although I was
unsuccessful in my bid for Governor in 2014, the Fairfield Republicans came
through for me, delivering more votes in the primary than any other town in the
state. I am forever thankful and grateful for your incredible support.
While not a candidate in this current election cycle, I remain passionate about the
difficult issues facing our state and to that end, am fully committed to electing a
Republican governor and Republican majorities in the legislature. Recently I was
asked by two prominent members of the Walker team to remain neutral during the
gubernatorial primary, to not get involved or share my thoughts on the race. I
simply cannot do that. This is too important.
We all know that our state is in trouble. If we are going to save Connecticut, reverse
the damage done by Dan Malloy and the Democrats in Hartford and restore
prosperity, then we must nominate a Republican candidate for Governor who can
win in November and who will fight fearlessly for hardworking taxpayers once in
office.
I believe that candidate is Tim Herbst.
Tim is a battle-tested leader with a track record of winning tough fights. At age 29,
he defeated a popular Democrat incumbent to become the First Selectman of
Trumbull, he then went on to become the first Republican re-elected in Trumbull in

over 40 years. Not only did Tim win four straight elections, he carried a super-
majority of Republicans on the town council every time he was on the ballot.

In 2014, as our Republican nominee for State Treasurer, Tim outperformed the
entire GOP ticket; a feat even more impressive considering that his opponent was a
15 year incumbent and the Democrats top vote getter in the previous election.
In short, Tim is a proven winner and vote getter.
Under Tim's leadership, Trumbull made a remarkable turnaround:

• Tim reversed an unfunded pension crisis by reforming town benefits
and saving taxpayers millions of dollars. Tim led by example, refusing
to take a pension, reducing the number of pension-eligible political
appointees and entering all new hires into a defined contribution
plan.

• Tim balanced eight straight budgets, and cut taxes twice. Tim's strong
fiscal management resulted in an upgrade in the town's bond rating,
creating further savings for taxpayers.
• Tim developed a pro-business climate that spurred economic growth
for each of the eight years he was in office allowing him to make
important investments in the public school system and town
infrastructure.
• Under Tim's stewardship, Trumbull gained national recognition as
Family Circle magazine ranked Trumbull as the 7th best place in the
country to raise a family and Realtor.com ranked Trumbull's school
system in the top 10 nationally.

The reality is that in my lifetime, Connecticut has not elected a candidate for
Governor who has not previously held elected office. We have seen our party
nominate candidates in recent elections who had never won an election and who
had no prior political experience, only to see them lose time and time again.
We cannot afford to make that mistake again in 2018.
Tim Herbst has what it takes to govern, and it is my sincere belief that he is our best
hope for victory in 2018.
Please join me in supporting Tim Herbst for Governor.

Patch file photo