Fomer New Haven Alderman throws hat into Secretary of State race

by: ctblogger

Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 12:32:11 PM EST

With Susan Bysiewicz exploring running for governor in 2010, former New Haven alderman Gerry Garcia has decided to declare his candidacy for secretary of the state.

Here's his press release

Financial advisor, small business owner and former member of New Haven's Board of Aldermen, Gerry Garcia today became the first Democrat to file as a candidate to run for Connecticut Secretary of the State.  Gerry, 38, is a product of the New Haven Public Schools and holds an undergraduate degree and MBA from Yale University.  After working with a non-profit organization and in the private sector, Gerry recognized that Connecticut needs a new voice to speak on behalf of Connecticut voters and small businesses.  Gerry intends to bring a fresh vision and new ideas to the Secretary of the States office:  He plans to make the democratic process more open and accessible to all Connecticut residents and to offer a friendlier, smarter approach to attracting and retaining small businesses.

Upon filing the documents, Gerry pledged to build off of the work of the current Secretary of the State and pay specific attention to those residents who may have difficulty getting out voting on Election Day.  Gerry commented that, "Its shocking that, in the 21st century, there is one thing that urban single moms, Fairfield County commuters and seniors across the state share in common:  obstacles to voting on Election Day."  Gerry continued, "We need Early Voting and to leverage technology to bring the Connecticut electoral process into the 21st century."  

Gerry is participating in the Citizens Election Program and named Ronald Petronella as Campaign Treasurer.  Petronella is the Executive Vice President of UFCW Local 371.  Petronella stated, "Gerry gets it.  He understands working people.  His father was one of our union stewards and Gerry was a scholar from our union.  We believe Gerry will make an outstanding Secretary of the State and he has my full support."

New Haven Alderwoman Migdalia Castro today said, "It is time Connecticut's Hispanic community broke through the glass ceiling and we had our first Latino Constitutional Officer. Gerry will be that person."

Gerry lives with his wife Magda in New Haven.  Magda is from Debica, Poland and she was educated in Krakow.