Republican Congressional candidate Dan Debicella, right, answers a question as his opponent Congressman Jim Himes looks on during the 4th Congressional District Candidates’ Debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters at Wilton High School on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010.
Talk about a pay cut.
Multiple GOP sources tell Hearst Connecticut Newspapers that former state Sen. Dan Debicella of Shelton is tempted to run for Congress again in 2014 and leave behind his current job at the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates.
In 2010, Debicella mustered 47 percent of the vote in an unsuccessful challenge of U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, who was completing his first term at the time in the 4th District.
Now 38, the Harvard MBA and University of Pennsylvania graduate landed at Bridgewater following the loss.
The Westport firm, which manages $150 billion in assets, is slated to receive $100 million in economic incentives from the state to relocate its headquarters to Stamford and create 1,000 jobs. Founded by Greenwich billionaire Ray Dalio, the fund is known for its corporate culture and a 123-page manifesto of management principles prescribed by Dalio.
A message seeking comment from Debicella, who served two terms in the state Senate and was a deputy minority leader, was left Monday at Bridgewater.
Republicans are scouring the district Fairfield County-centric district for someone to challenge Himes, who increased his margin of victory to 60 percent in 2012 and is national finance chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
“My confidence is growing that we will be fielding an A-level candidate in the 4th Congressional District race,” state GOP Chairman Jerry Labriola Jr. said Tuesday.
Labriola declined to elaborate on the race or identify potential candidates.