Mattei stumps at city’s senior center

Attorney general candidate is one of three in primary

TORRINGTON — There hasn’t been a Democratic primary election for attorney general since 1990, when now-U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., won his first term.

Nearly 30 years later, the Aug. 14 primary ballot has three candidates vying for the constitutional office seat. The only candidate new to politics is former U.S. Attorney Chris Mattei of Hartford. His opponents are endorsed candidate state Rep. William Tong, D-Stamford, and state Sen. Paul Doyle, D-Wethersfield.

Mattei, 40, visited the Sullivan Senior Center at 88 East Albert St. Tuesday, to meet with the lunch crowd.

He said he chose to run for office this year because he sees an increase in “corruption and fraud.”

“I want to help victims who are exploited,” he said.

A key concern for Mattei, and members of the senior center, is scam phone calls that target senior citizens. One center member, who asked not to be named, said she often gets calls from companies that want to sell her things.

“People are very vulnerable,” he said. “The problem is scams originate overseas, even though they look like they’re from the United States.”

Mattei added that attorneys general can help to “make sure companies store our information securely and they are not trading it unlawfully.”

An increase in minimum wage was discussed as well, among a group who were waiting for Mattei to arrive. The existing rate of $11 an hour “isn’t enough for young people. The can’t even afford an apartment,” said one member, who asked that her name not be used.

A native of Windsor, Mattei spent time in his early 20s working on a Navajo reservation in Arizona, where he taught English to high school students. He then became a union organizer for hospital workers.

Mattei later received his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

“The attorney general really can make a difference for those who feel forgotten,” he told the group. “There should be economic empowerment to help the impoverished get ahead.”

“I would love to fight for you as attorney general,” Mattei said. He reminded the group that the primary is just two weeks away.

Leslie Hutchison / Hearst Connecticut Media Democratic attorney general candidate Chris Mattei visits the Sullivan Senior Center on Tuesday.

A member of the Sullivan Senior Center studies a campaign brochure for Chris Mattei, a Democratic candidate for attorney general. He met with the lunch crowd on Tuesday.