Oz Griebel qualifies for ballot

Voters will have a third choice for governor in November — Oz Griebel, an independent candidate, and his running mate, Monte Frank, have been certified by the Secretary of the State to appear on the Nov. 6 ballot.

“Monte and I have emphasized from the outset that the two-party system is broken and only an independent Executive can create the partnerships among the Connecticut Legislature, municipalities and leaders in our education, financial services, health

care, labor, manufacturing and not-for-profit service sectors that are necessary to grow the jobs we need in this state,” Griebel said in a statement.

Griebel needed 7,500 signatures in order to qualify for the ballot. He attempted to secure the endorsement of the Independent

Party of Connecticut at a caucus Sunday, but the party is backing Republican candidate Bob Stefanowski instead.

Griebel is the former head of the MetroHartford Alliance business organization and Frank is a Newtown attorney. The Griebel/Frank campaign is not participating in the state’s Citizens Election Program.

The July filing that Griebel’s

campaign submitted to the State Elections Enforcement Commission indicates that they have raised less than $221,000, with a meager $12,624.11 on hand to run a campaign on which Stefanowski and Democrat Ned Lamont are spending multimillions. Griebel and Lamont will participate in the first debate of the general election season next week in West Hartford. Stefanowski declined the invitation.

The debate will take place at 7 p.m. at the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford. The Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, WFSB, Connecticut Public Radio and the Connecticut Mirror will host and broadcast the event.

Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media Oz Griebel speaks to Independent Party voters during the party’s nominating convention in Waterbury on Sunday.