The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Markley is GOP pick for lieutenant governor
MASHANTUCKET — State Sen. Joe Markley, of Southington, won the Republican party endorsement for lieutenant governor on the first ballot Saturday night.
“I’m a Republican Republican,” Markley said. “I believe in fiscal responsibility. I believe in principles that made the country great and I’m willing to stand up for them and speak out for them.”
Markley handily took the nod with 54 percent of the vote, beating out New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, who pulled in 26 percent and Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, who earned 20 percent.
Both earned enough to make it to the August primary ballot — Stewart said she will definitely primary, while Stevenson said she’s leaning toward it but will spend Mother’s Day considering the possibility.
“We have a team here of Republicans and we have an obligation to save the sate of Connecticut,” Markley said. “We have to win together in November.”
Stewart entered the race late — dropping her bid for governor on Friday, hours before the nominating convention opened. Her shortlived running mate, Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei, dropped out of the race to nominate Stewart for the post.
“I assure you my remarks will be as brief as my candidacy,” said Tesei, who stood beside Stewart three weeks ago to announce his own bid for lieutenant governor.
“Erin brings energy, experience and electability to the Republican ticket,” Tesei said. “She is a winner. We need real winners in Connecticut. Are we gong to continue to nominate candidates who cannot reach beyond the traditional republican base?”
Stewart said afterward, “I’m not a party insider and that’s what’s here today.” She emphasized her youth, while Stevenson, in trying to sway delegates earlier, had said her “life experience” mattered.
Stevenson said Stewart’s surprise bid pulled votes from her own campaign. The majority of Stevenson’s support came from the 4th U.S. House District, which includes her hometown of Darien.
“Without Erin, Joe and I would have been neck-and-neck,” Stevenson said. She added she’s leaning toward a primary, but the mother of five said, “I’m going to take Mother’s Day and reflect on the day and I’ll make my decision.”
The digs continued when state Sen. Len Suzio, of Meriden, nominated Markley.
“We don’t need a candidate with potential, we need a candidate with proven experience,” Suzio said, referencing Stewart’s millennial status.