I have just returned from a meeting with State Representative Cam Staples.
He is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General.
Rep. Staples received a B.A. from Wesleyan University in 1980, where he was awarded the Frank Ryder Scholarship for Public Service. In 1984, he earned a Masters in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, and was named a Samuel A. Fels Scholar. Cam earned a J.D. from The University of Connecticut School of Law in 1989. He practiced civil litigation with the law firm of Updike, Kelly & Spellacy from 1989 to 1993. Mr. Staples served as General Counsel to the CT State Medical Society from 1993 to 2004, when he became a partner in the New Haven law firm of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.
Mr. Staples continues to represent the Connecticut State Medical Society, regarding physician practice management issues within the context of organized medicine and regarding class action litigation by medical societies against managed care companies. He is also a visiting lecturer at Yale Law School, a member on the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Committee on American and International Schools abroad, and is a member of the National Conference of State Legislature’s budget and revenue committee, where he analyzes budgetary policy at a national level.
Prior to his tenure in the legislature, Rep. Staples served three terms representing the 9th ward on the New Haven Board of Aldermen and served as Majority Leader from 1991-1992.
Representative Cameron Staples was elected to the House of Representatives for the 96th Assembly District of Hamden and New Haven in 1993. He is House Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, and also serves on the General Law and Judiciary Committees. At the conclusion of his freshman term, Rep. Staples was selected by his colleagues as the member of the legislature with the “Best Future Promise.” From 1995 to 2002, Rep. Staples served as co-chair of the Education Committee.
In my conversation with Cam Staples it became clear that he is:
A. A deeply committed progressive with a stellar voting record on progressive issues.
B. Particularly interested in improving education in Connecticut.
C. Also committed to making our state tax structure more progressive.
As such, it would be a shame to lose his very influential voice in the Legislature.
But he is also deeply involved in protecting consumers, particularly in the health field, in his private practice, and believes he can do even more to help as Attorney General. While George Jepsen remains my first choice for the post, I was impressed with Cam Staples and can only hope that he returns to the legislature if he does not secure the nomination at the convention.
I do hope that someone who has clearly disqualified herself for this office does not choose to primary simply because she thinks she can win on name recognition alone.
