Politics & Government

Manchester 2012 Election Guide

The candidates, incumbents and issues that will be affecting Manchester and the surrounding area in 2012.

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Manchester Patch is devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in town. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near. 

President

 (D): The president came to Connecticut last election to stump for his Democratic colleagues, although this year he could be more busy campaigning for himself.  

 (R): The former governor is no stranger to Connecticut, having most recently visited in May for a lucrative fundraiser.

U.S. Senate

Editor's Note: Both the Democrats and republicans have 

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 (D): The Democratic congressman is polling ahead of his closest party rival by a 50-20 margin as he tries to win outgoing Sen. Joe Lieberman’s seat.

 (D): The Democratic candidate for Senate has her work cut out for her as she tries to lessen U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy’s strong lead as the August primary approaches.

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Sylvester Salcedo (D): The Bridgeport lawyer is known for being one of the few Asian-Americans to run for U.S. Senate in the 2012 election — perhaps now the only one since  — as well as driving to the Mexican border earlier this year to gain a some attention for his campaign.

Lee Whitnum (unaffiliated): The Greenwich resident sparked some controversy when  because Gov. Malloy and Rep. Chris Murphy are "lying to the people to pander to the ultra conservative branch of the Jewish community." She announced in June that she would 

 (R): The former WWE executive tried – and failed – in her run for U.S. Senate two years ago. This year, she was the Republican favorite after .

 (R): Despite losing the party nominations to Linda McMahon, .

Kie Westby (R): , the Southbury attorney said that career politicians have had their chance to make changes. "It requires a fresh face, a fresh approach," he said. Although he hasn't officially suspended his campaign, Westby recently announced that he wouldn't submit the signatures required to be part of the Republican primary.

First Congressional District

John Larson (D): Rep. John Larson has been serving the first congressional district in congress since 1999. During his tenure, Larson has secured the defense contracts for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's F-135 Engine, which were built in Connecticut in 2011.

He recently started the Connecticut  with the purpose of the program to bring what are known as "Track One” candidates together with prospective employers who are looking for a certain skill set.

Last month, he introduced "the 'Victory for Veterans' commemorative stamp, which is a .21 cent stamp that has no postage value, but can be placed on letters to show support for our veterans," according to an email from his spokesman.

John Decker (R):  On his Facebook page, John Decker states that he is a "real person" and not a "career politician." 

"I look forward to a time when we elect real people at home in their communities instead of re-electing career politicians interested in spending our money and in their own self-preservation," he wrote on his Facebook page.

Decker has served Connecticut as a financial advisor for the past 16 years. He recently earned his certified financial planner designation, serves on the Board of Directors of Business for Downtown Hartford and is a deacon, according to his Facebook page.

Fourth Senate District

Editor's Note: The Fourth Senate District comprises the towns of Bolton, Glastonbury, Manchester and Marlborough

Steve Cassano (D): Cassano is a long-time member of the Manchester Board of Directors who served as the mayor of Manchester from 1991 to 2005. Serving his first term in the state senate, Cassano is Co-Chairman of the Planning and Development Committee, and a member of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding, Transportation, Public Safety & Security and Program Review & Investigations committees.

Cassano taught sociology at Manchester Community College for 28 years, and operates a daycare business in Manchester, the Children's Place, with his wife Holly. 

Cheri Ann Pelletier (R): The Republican challenger, has served on the Manchester Board of Directors since 2005. A graduate of East Catholic High School, Manchester Community College and La Salle University, Pelletier says she believes that government should be more responsive to its citizens needs.

Pelletier is a self-employed property and business manager and has worked with the elderly as an outreach social worker in Glastonbury, as a workshop leader for Literacy Volunteers and an elementary teacher for children with disabilities. 

Ninth Assembly District 

Editor's Note: The Ninth Assembly District now encompasses the towns of Manchester and East Hartford. 

Jason Rojas (D): The Democratic incumbent, Rojas is a former member of the East Hartford Town Council and Board of Education as well as the New England Association of Schools & Colleges Commission on Public Secondary Schools.
Rojas policy interests include policy government finance and tax policy, inter-municipal cooperation and education. 

Rudy Hrubala (R): The Republican challenger, is a long-time Manchester resident and a former Marine who served in Viet Nam with the First Recon Bn. Hrubala believes that people should "have all the government we need, but only the government we need." 

11th Assembly District 

Editor's Note: The 11th Assembly District Now Includes parts of Manchester, East Hartford and South Windsor. 

Timothy D. Larson (D): The Democratic incumbent, Larson is a former mayor of East Hartford and the brother of Congressman John Larson. 

Thomas Ogar (R): Ogar is the Republican challenger in the 11th Assembly District. 

12th Assembly District 

Editor's Note: The 12th Assembly District encompasses only Manchester. 

Geoff Luxenberg (D): Serving his first term in the General Assembly, Luxenberg is a former member of the Manchester Board of Education and serves on the Town of Manchester Ethics Commission. 

 (R): The son of Highland Park Market Owner Tim Devanney, Devanney cited his tradition of entrepreneurship and said he would pursue "a more sensible fiscal approach in Hartford" if elected. 

13th Assembly District 

Editor's Note: There will be a primary Aug. 14 to decide the Democratic candidate for the 13th Assembly District, which encompasses Manchester and Glastonbury. 

Joe Diminico (D): A lifelong Manchester resident, is a graduate of East Catholic High School and had a 25-year career with the town of Manchester, retiring as Program Director of the Manchester Senior Center. 

Tom Gullotta (D): A Glastonbury resident, is the C.E.O. of a children’s mental health and social service agency that employs 175 human service professionals. He is also an adjunct faculty member of Eastern Connecticut State University's psychology and education departments. 

Mark Tweedie (R): is a three-term member of the Manchester Board of Directors, a Navy veteran and has operated a small business in Manchester, Tweedie Dental Arts, since 1984. 


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