Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst is trying to gain traction in unseating incumbent Democratic State Treasurer Denise Nappier. The Republican has called for five debates: one in each congressional district. Nappier, who has been treasurer since 1999, has not responded, apparently deciding to run from out in front and ignore Herbst in what is arguably one of the least-sexy (along with Comptroller) top-of-the-ticket races. A call for comment to Nappier’s office was not returned Tuesday.
“Denise Nappier can ignore me, but she cannot ignore the media and she certainly cannot ignore the taxpayers of the State of Connecticut,” Herbst said. “As State Treasurer and a sole fiduciary for billions of dollars of assets, Ms. Nappier has an obligation to answer for her 16 years in office. If Ms. Nappier believes she has done a good job the last sixteen years then why won’t she respond to my requests for a debate? The fact of the matter is we have the second most underfunded pension system of any state in the nation, while at the same time we have the highest levels of debt per person of any state in the nation. Every child born in Connecticut today is born into $27,000 of debt. In virtually every fiscal category, we are ranked dead last. If I had a record like Denise Nappier, I would be afraid to face the taxpayers of Connecticut as well. Ms. Nappier can run from her record, but she can’t hide. She needs to meet me face to face, so we can debate the issues of vital importance to the fiscal future of our state and for the well being of all of our taxpayers.”