As we look ahead to November’s elections, Mansfield-Storrs 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 Massachusetts 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 close the gap on 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 spark 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.
Second Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D): Courtney was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006. He was endorsed by his party in May for his fourth term. Courtney, of Vernon, during the BRAC hearings.
Paul Formica (R): East Lyme's first selectman was , despite having announced his entry into the race less than a week before the party gathered.
Daria Novak (R): Novak failed in her bid to be the Republican candidate in 2010. Despite being the party-endorsed candidate, she lost a primary to Janet Peckinpaugh, who then lost to Courtney. Novak lost to Formica at the convention but has announced her intention to primary.
Connecticut State House of Representatives 48th District
Linda Orange (D): Orange has represented the 48th District since 1996. Her full biography can be found on her Web site.
Stan Soby (R)
Connecticut State House of Representatives 54th District
(D-Mansfield): After serving for more than a decade as Deputy Mayor of Mansfield, . He currently serves as the House Vice Chairman of the Commerce Committee and as a member of the Appropriations and Higher Education and Employment Advancement committees for the 2011 legislative session.
Connecticut State Senator 29th District
(D-Brooklyn): Williams has represented District 29 since 1993. He has been Senate President Pro Tempore since 2004.
Sally White (R): White will run in November against tenth-term incumbent senator Williams.
