| Good news (h/t to Gabe): Judy Freedman, longtime State Senator from Westport, finally dropped out officially today after two weeks of local media politely pretending not to already know about it. (That they would hold off of reporting genuine news -- even remaining silent despite publishing an announcement of her Wilton news conference today over the weekend -- is suspect, but not worth fighting over here.)
Freedman endorsed State Rep Toni Boucher, which is good news for challenger John Hartwell, a Westport resident who is now the hometown favorite in the district's largest population center. Former GOP State Rep Ken Bernhard had also wanted into the race (looking for a promotion after being fired by his constituents in favor of Joe Mioli a few years ago), and if Freedman is going to be boosting Boucher over someone already known to Westport voters, all the better.
This is also a bit of good news for Wilton Registrar Peggy Reeves, who now is the only candidate of record for the State Rep seat being abandoned by Boucher (Wilton, New Canaan, and Norwalk.)
As for Freedman, known around the Capitol to be a video-game junkie, I wish her well in mastering FreeCell in her retirement years.
UPDATE ctblogger: The John Hartwell campaign released a statement regarding Freedman's retirement, which you can read below the fold. |
I'd like to thank Senator Freedman for her years of service to the 26th District, and particularly for her work advancing educational opportunities in Connecticut.
2008 is shaping up as a huge year of change, both nationally and locally. We need new leadership to deliver affordable health care for small businesses, to bring tax dollars back from Hartford to invest in our overburdened transportation system, and to promote environmentally responsible economic growth.
This race presents a real opportunity for a vigorous discussion of the issues facing our state, and I call upon whoever becomes the Republican nominee to join me in a series of debates about how to move Connecticut forward.
As previously announced, my fund raising efforts across the seven towns that make up the 26th has resulted in an outpouring of support that will qualify me for public financing through the new Citizens' Election Program. There is a real desire for a change from politics as usual, and I offer a fresh approach to bringing an effective voice to the people of this district. |
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