SEEC approves candidate funds

HARTFORD — Two Democrats seeking statewide elective office — Susan Bysiewicz for lieutenant governor and William Tong for attorney general — on Thursday were cleared to receive public financing for their primary campaigns.

The State Elections Enforcement Commission approved $406,275 in public money for Bysiewicz and Tong, a Stamford Democratic state representative.

A request for $1.4 million from Republican candidate for governor Steve Obsitnik for the Republican primary was not acted on during the meeting. Obsitnik is under investigation by SEEC over whether he illegally raised campaign contributions or improperly coordinated activities. The commission approved $28,150 general election grants for the following state representative candidates: Tim Ackert, R–8th District, James Albis D–9th District, David Arconti, D–109th District, Sally Connolly, R–133rd District, Jim Feehan, R–120th District, Andrew Fleischmann, D–18th District, Kevin Fuller, D–77th District, Joseph Jaumann, R–104th District, Gannon Long, D–3rd District, Shaun Mastroianni, R – 43rd District, Ronald Napoli, D–73rd District, Caitlin Clarkson Pereira, D–132nd District, David Rutigliano, R–123rd District, and Laurel Steinhauser, D–32nd District.

The commission also awarded $95,710 grants to the following state Senate candidates: Tony Giannattasio, R–14th District, Valerie Horsley, D–17th District and Vickie Nardello, D–16th District.

Each candidate had to raise money from in-state contributions and in small amounts to qualify for financing from the Citizen’s Election Program.

Party primaries are scheduled for Aug 14, and the general election will be held Nov. 6.