Connecticut Local Politics

More data from SEEC filings… again, this may not be a complete list. Please add more in the comments.

David Blackwell (R) of Manchester is running against Sen. Mary Ann Handley (D) in the 4th Senate District (Bolton, Glastonbury, Manchester and Marlborough). Handley won 60%-40% in 2006, most of which was the result of a 2-1 margin in Manchester. Blackwell is a former state representative who served the 12th House District from 1999-2003, and is well known in Manchester, so this district could be more interesting than it has been lately.

Republican Ryan Suerth of Madison will challenge Sen. Ed Meyer (D) in the 12th Senate District. Meyer absolutely annihilated Gregg Hannan 65%-35% in 2006 following a very close win against incumbent Bill Aniskovitch in 2004. Suerth is an attorney and Iraq War veteran.

Sen. Dan Debicella has a challenger in Democrat Janice Anderson of Stratford down in the 21st Senate District. Debicella won an open seat in 2006 over Democrat Chris Jones 52%-48%.

In the 26th Senate District, Sen. Judith Freedman (R) has a challenger in Democrat John Hartwell of Westport. Freedman won over Craig Rebecca Schiavone in 2006 56%-44%. Hartwell is a financial consultant who has not run for office before.

John McCarthy (D), a former ambassador, is running against Sen. Rob Kane (R) in the 32nd Senate District. McCarthy originally wanted to run in the special election to replace Sen. Lou DeLuca, but was defeated by Kenny Curran at the Democratic nominating convention in December. Curran was crushed by Kane in January, so maybe the Democrats will have better luck with McCarthy.