Surprise. Gun-safety group endorses Malloy for governor; several Republicans for General Assembly

CT Voters for Gun Safety, listed as a statewide Independent Expenditure Only Political Action Committee, today announced their support for various candidates this November. It’s not surprising that Gov. Malloy was endorsed. But in addition to dozens of Democrats, the group also endorsed Rep. Themis Klarides, R-Derby, who may become the next House minority leader; Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, Rep. John Frey, R-Ridgefield, Rep. Tom O’Dea, R-New Canaan and Rep. Brenda Kupchick, R-Fairfield. CT Voters for Gun Safety Chairman, Ron Pinciaro: “We are very proud to stand with Governor Malloy in his re-election campaign. No Governor of any state at any time has shown such courage and leadership in the issue of gun violence prevention. Period. And we will stand with, and work with, those candidates for the General Assembly who have stood with us, and voted with us, and have shown commitment to keeping our strong gun laws in Connecticut.”

Candidates were evaluated on their voting records; responses to a questionnaire; statements made to the news media and at public hearings; and other criteria. GOP challenger Tom Foley recently won the endorsement of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, a group of gun enthusiasts.dantree

Here is the list of those endorsed
Governor: Dannel P. Malloy (D)
Lt. Governor: Nancy Wyman (D)
Attorney General: George Jepsen (D)
Secretary of State: Denise Merrill (D)
State Comptroller: Kevin Lembo (D)
State Treasurer: Denise Nappier (D)

 

State Senate
S-2: Eric D. Coleman (D)
S-5: Beth Bye (D)
S-8: Melissa E. Osborne (D)
S-12: Ted Kennedy Jr. (D)
S-13: Dante Bartolomeo (D)
S-15: Joan V. Hartley (D)
S-17: Joe Crisco (D-Woodbridge)
S-20: Betsy Ritter (D)
S-22: Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport)
S-25: Bob Duff (D-Norwalk)
S-26: Toni Boucher (R-Wilton)
S-29: Mae Flexer (D)
S-31: Robert Michalik (D)
S-33: Emily Bjornberg (D)
State Representative
H-1: Matthew D. Ritter (D) Hartford
H-2: Candace Faye (D) Danbury
H–12: Kelly J.S. Luxenberg (D) Manchester
H-15: David A. Baram (D) Bloomfield
H-16: John K. Hampton (D) Simsbury
H-21: Mike Demicco (D) Farmington
H-22: Elizabeth “Betty” A. Boukus (D) Plainville
H-23: Mary J. Stone (D) Lyme
H-26: Peter A. Tercyak (D) New Britain
H-35: Tom Vicino (D) Westbrook
H-36: Philip J. Miller (D) Haddam
H-38: Marc A. Balestracci (D) Waterford
H-40: Edward E. Moukawsher (D) Groton
H-41: Elissa T. Wright (D) Groton
H-47: Brian H. Sear (D) Canterbury
H-54: Gregory S. Haddad (D) Storrs
H–55: Joseph A. LaBella (D) Bolton
H-59: David William Kiner (D) Enfield
H-64: Roberta B. Willis (D) Lakeville
H-65: Michelle L. Cook (D) Torrington
H-72: Larry B. Butler (D) Watertown
H-85: Mary M. Mushinsky (D) Wallingford
H-88: Brendan Sharkey (D) Hamden
H-89: Vickie Orsini Nardello (D) Prospect
H-90: Mary G. Fritz (D) Yalesville
H-97: Robert W. Megna (D) New Haven
H–98: Sean Scanlon (D) Guilford
H-99: James M. Albis (D) East Haddam
H-103: Kristen Selleck (D) Cheshire
H–110: Bob Godfrey (D) Danbury
H-111: John H. Frey (R) Ridgefield
H-114: Themis Klarides (R) Woodbridge
H-119: James J. Maroney (D) Milford
H-123: Douglas G. Sutherland (D) Trumbull
H-125: Tom P. O’Dea Jr. (R) New Canaan
H-132: Brenda L. Kupchick (R) Fairfield
H–133: Cristin McCarthy Vahey (D) Fairfield
H-134: Tara Cook-Littman (D) Fairfield
H-136: Jonathan P. Steinberg (D) Westport
H-138: Henry H. Hall ( D) Danbury
H-144: Caroline B. Simmons (D) Stamford
H-147: William M. Tong (D): Stamford