Granby and East Granby Election Guide 2012

As we look ahead to November’s elections, The Granbys Patch is devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in town. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near. 

President

(D): The president came to Connecticut last election to stump for his Democratic colleagues, although this year he could be more busy campaigning for himself.  

(R): The former governor is no stranger to Connecticut, having most recently visited in May for a lucrative fundraiser.

U.S. Senate

 (D): The Democratic congressman is polling ahead of his closest party rival by a 50-20 margin as he tries to win outgoing Sen. Joe Lieberman’s seat.

 (D): The Democratic candidate for Senate has her work cut out for her as she tries to lessen U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy’s strong lead as the August primary approaches.

Sylvester Salcedo (D): The Bridgeport lawyer is known for being one of the few Asian-Americans to run for U.S. Senate in the 2012 election — perhaps now the only one since  — as well as driving to the Mexican border earlier this year to gain a some attention for his campaign.

Lee Whitnum (unaffiliated): The Greenwich resident sparked some controversy when  because Gov. Malloy and Rep. Chris Murphy are "lying to the people to pander to the ultra conservative branch of the Jewish community." She announced in June that she would 

 (R): The former WWE executive tried – and failed – in her run for U.S. Senate two years ago. This year, she was the Republican favorite after .

 (R): Despite losing the party nominations to Linda McMahon, .

Kie Westby (R): , the Southbury attorney said that career politicians have had their chance to make changes. "It requires a fresh face, a fresh approach," he said. Although he hasn't officially suspended his campaign, Westby recently announced that he wouldn't submit the signatures required to be part of the Republican primary.

First Congressional District

John Larson (D): Rep. John Larson has been serving the first congressional district in congress since 1999. During his tenure, Larson has secured the defense contracts for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's F-135 Engine, which were built in Connecticut in 2011.

He recently started the Connecticut with the purpose of the program being to bring what are known as "Track One” candidates together with prospective employers who are looking for a certain skill set.

Last month, he introduced "the 'Victory for Veterans' commemorative stamp, which is a .21 cent stamp that has no postage value, but can be placed on letters to show support for our veterans," according to an email from his spokesman.

John Decker (R):  On his Facebook page, John Decker states that he is a "real person" and not a "career politician." 

"I look forward to a time when we elect real people at home in their communities instead of re-electing career politicians interested in spending our money and in their own self-preservation," he wrote on his Facebook page.

Decker has served Connecticut as a financial advisor for the past 16 years. He recently earned his certified financial planner designation, serves on the Board of Directors of Business for Downtown Hartford and is a deacon, according to his Facebook page.

Sixty-First District State Representative

Elaine O'Brien (D): A Suffield resident, O'Brien is completing her first term in office. During her first two years, O'Brien has introduced a number of bills to the general assembly, including acts concerning the desecration of war or veterans' memorials, an act concerning urban revitalization, an act concerning the state's military facilities and an act concerning special education programs in the state.

Tami Zawistowski (R): Tami Z says she's running for two reasons: the inability to continue to pay rising taxes under Gov. Malloy's "tax and spend policies;" and the stories of her unemployed or underemployed neighbors.

Sixty-Second District State Representative

Bill Simanski (R): A Granby resident and former first selectman, Simanski is nearing the end of his first term in office. Simanski has introduced bills concerning genetically engineered foods, organ and tissue donor awareness, increasing penalties for animal cruelty and good samaritan protections. He recently supported an amendment opposing the controversial New Britain-Hartford busway.

Evan S. Dantos (D): Also a Granby resident, Dantos is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. A UConn graduate with a bachelor's degree in political science, 23-year-old Dantos is a newcomer to running for elected office. His campaign motto is "No more 'No!' Now, more than ever, this district needs someone with the wherewithal to make sure rural CT remains a priority in Hartford."

Seventh District State Senator

John Kissel (R): Kissel is holding strong, currently finishing his tenth term as the 7th senatorial district's representative in the capitol. He's the ranking member of the Senate's judiciary, and program review and investigations committees, and is a Windsor native.

Karen Jarmoc (D): Jarmoc, a former state representative of the 59th District, unsuccessfully challenged Kissel in 2010, but the loss was by fewer than one thousand votes. She worked on a number of issues in the State House, including safer work conditions for correctional employees and legislation protecting children during the nation's recession.

Eighth District State Senator

Kevin Witkos (R): Witkos is in his second state senate term. He serves as Deputy Minority Leader of the State Senate and is ranking member on the General Assembly’s General Law committee. He also served three terms in the state House of Representatives. Witkos recently retired from the Canton Police Department. He lives in Canton and grew up in Granby. 

Dan Seger (D): Canton Democrat Dan Seger is challenging Witkos in his first run for office. As a resident of the district since 1972, Seger has lived in three of its towns. For 26 years he worked for Perry Technology Corporation. He’s also owned his own business since 2005 and also lives in Canton.