A Ridgefield man who is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge State Treasurer Denise Nappier says her social agenda is preventing Connecticut from maximizing its investments.
Bob Eick, a private investment executive who is campaigning against Trumbull First Selectman Timothy Herbst for the nomination, charged Thursday that Nappier’s investment decisions have led to the state’s massive unfunded pension liability, which ranks second in the nation.
“Obviously, the state Treasurer should be focusing on the poor performance of her investments, rather than on the business decisions of private firms,” Eick said in a statement responding to reports that Nappier is seeking to persuade state gun makers to adopt the so-called Sandy Hook Principles of corporate responsibility.
“While every thoughtful individual supports legitimate efforts to avoid future tragedies such as the Sandy Hook shootings, it is not the job of the state Treasurer to pursue a personal social agenda that will not improve the fiscal health of our state,” said Eick, pronounced “Ike.”
“The abysmal lack of jobs and the miserable economic conditions in Connecticut can and should be addressed by Governor Dannel Malloy and the Legislature, and if Denise Nappier wants to help she should do so by applying her energies to securing our state’s assets,” Eick added.
A Bridgeport native of Hungarian ancestry, Eick, 51, is an executive with the CRT Capital Group LLC of Stamford. Nappier, 62, was first elected in 1998 and is seeking her fifth four-year term.