Windsor Locks & East Windsor Election Guide 2012

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Windsor Locks-East Windsor 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 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.

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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.

Connecticut State House of Representatives 57th District

Christopher Davis (R-Ellington): Elected for the first time in 2010, Davis will once again seek this seat. , Davis said that if he is re-elected, he will continue the fight for lower taxes, limited spending, and smaller government in order to provide common sense solutions to the state’s mounting issues. He is currently the youngest serving member of the General Assembly.

(D): The East Windsor Board of Finance chairman was to challenge Davis. He was elected to the board in 2007 and in his acceptance speech, spoke of his work this year to bridge a sharply partisan divide and pass a budget unanimously.

Connecticut State House of Representatives District 59

Democrat incumbent David Kiner was endorsed by his party for a second term in the 59th District, which now consists of the eastern portion of Enfield and the northwest corner of East Windsor

In his acceptance speech, Kiner pledged to put East Windsor and Enfield above partisanship, just as he has done throughout his first term. Kiner said, “Finding solutions in challenging times requires courage and commitment, not political rhetoric.”

Enfield Town Councilman Joe Bosco local business owner who is serving his third term on the Council, was nominated by Republicans in May.

“With the legislature's spending habits out of control, and the state's economic climate still a mess, I just can't sit back and let David go unopposed in November,” Bosco said in his acceptance speech. “He's voted for every tax, and he's never stood up for us. When you're in a hole, you should stop digging. You don't get a bigger shovel _ you stop.”

Connecticut House of Representatives District 60

Peggy Sayers (D): First elected to represent the 60th house district in 1999, the Windsor Locks resident has introduced a number of bills to the general assembly, including bills concerning voting rights, and one to increase penalties for voter intimidation and interference. She also introduced a bill concerning sexual violence on college campuses.

Michael Russo (R): Russo, founder of Windsor Locks' Russo Lawn & Landscape, Inc., is a former president of the town's chamber of commerce, and he currently serves on the town's economic and industrial development commission, and the capital improvement committee. He says,

Connecticut State Senator 3rd District

Gary D. LeBeau (D-Ellington): LeBeau, Senate chairman of the Commerce Committee and deputy president pro tempore of the Senate, is seeking his ninth two-year term. He was in May and has been praised for his dedication and tireless work in the legislature, championing job creation, business development, education reform, and other issues important to voters.

Hector Reveron (R): Reveron, 38, was born and raised in New York City and moved to Connecticut in 1999. He is currently employed by Pratt & Whitney as a jet engine test technician. Reveron is the East Hartford Republican Town Committee 1st District Chairman and has volunteered in both George Bush campaigns.

Connecticut State Senator 7th District

John Kissel (R-Somers): Kissel is currently serving his 10th term and was . He is the Senate's Ranking Member on the Committees on Judiciary and Program Review and Investigations. He also serves on the General Law Committee. Kissel is currently Chief Deputy Minority Leader as well. He said that if re-elected, he will continue to push for policies aimed at job creation and retention. 

Karen Jarmoc (D): The former state representative was and will challenge in incumbent Kissel. Jarmoc served as state representative for the 59th District from 2007-2010. She stepped down from that seat to challenge Kissel in 2010, but fell short by just under a thousand votes. While serving in the House, Jarmoc worked on issues such as protecting children in this recession, safe work conditions for correctional employees, and small business.