Steve Papadakos, the Republican challenging Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said a violent stomach illness kept him from appearing at a Tuesday night candidates’ forum in Darien.
Duff’s district – the 25th Senate District – includes Norwalk and parts of Darien. For years it was held by Republican Robert Genuario, now the state’s budget director.
Some observers are wondering whether Papadakos decided not to attend after what can objectively be called a poor performance last week in Norwalk.
I covered the event and reported how Papadakos was nervous and ill-prepared, mostly reiterating Republican talking points and, in one case, passing on a question about addressing the state’s energy needs.
Duff did not have all the answers, and voters might not agree with those he provided. But he was able to fall back on his experience in Hartford and had things to talk about.
Papadakos today said he really was seriously ill.
“On Monday night after our Republican Town Committee I came home, had dinner and got sick,” he said. “I went to the emergency room after 9 p.m. … My stomach was a mess. There’s no way I could make it. I ate something maybe I shouldn’t have.”
Duff said that was the story he heard Tuesday night and he is willing to schedule another forum in Darien between the two candidates.
