Greenwich resident and incumbent state senator for the 36th district, L. Scott Frantz, smiles as he is nominated as the Republican state senate candidate for the 36th district, during a Republican nominating convention at The Arch Street Teen Center, Greenwich, Thursday evening, May 13, 2010. At right is Frantz's wife, Icy Frantz, and his daughter, Brady Frantz. Photo: Bob Luckey/Greenwich Time
Another name that the prognosticators and talking heads can throw out there for U.S. Senate in 2012: Republican L. Scott Frantz.
Elected in November to a second term in the state Senate’s 36th District, which encompasses Greenwich and parts of Stamford and New Canaan, a coy Frantz didn’t exactly deny his interest in a bid for the seat of Joe Lieberman when reached by Hearst Connecticut newspapers on Saturday.
“I think anybody involved in public service is doing their party, their state and country a disservice by completely ruling out the possibility of running for an office because no one can tell you with certainty what future circumstances will be,” Frantz said. “We’ve got to find the very best person on the Republican side to go up against the Democrats, who will undoubtedly have a bitter primary to determine who will be the Democratic nominee.”
A top GOP fundraiser and venture capitalist, Frantz, 50, has been active in state affairs, serving as board chairman of both Bradley International Airport near Hartford and the Connecticut Development Authority.
In 2007, Frantz, who is married with four children, won the Prescott Bush Award, the state GOP’s highest honor named for the late Connecticut senator and former president’s grandfather, who was a Greenwich resident.
“My interest is always serving the public to the highest possible degree that I’m capable of,” Frantz said. “The business of politics is full of serendipity, as well as a whole lot of road blocks. Connecticut desperately needs an outstanding leader in the U.S. Senate going forward after Senator Lieberman retires to make up for the loss of seniority that both Senator Dodd and Senator Lieberman give up as they retire.”