Former Director Takes On New Role
Devanney Heading Up Business PAC
MANCHESTER — Tim Devanney, who recently resigned from the board of directors, is chairman of a new political action committee that he says will support business-friendly candidates from both sides of the political aisle.
Stronger CT, Devanney said Monday, is made up of both Democrats and Republicans from businesses across the state.
“I am happily done as a politician myself,” he said. “This was an interesting opportunity to work with business leaders, regardless of party, that were more focused on helping Connecticut become more business friendly.”
Stronger CT is an “independent expenditure” PAC, which means it is prohibited from coordinating spending with any candidate. A guidebook on the state Elections Enforcement Commission website — https://bit.ly/2xsnNiW — says independent expenditures occur when a PAC promotes “the success or defeat of a candidate without the consent, knowing participation, or consultation of, a candidate or agent of the candidate committee.” An independent expenditure, the guidebook says, does not count as a contribution to the candidate who receives the benefit.
The committee’s officers include Joseph Brennan, head of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association. Committee leaders have not chosen candidates to focus on, Devanney said, but they are not considering Manchester races. Stronger CT had a total of $1,220 on hand as of the latest filing, according to state records.
“We feel this election is a very important one for Connecticut and figured we should find a way to get our business perspective out to those running in some targeted races,” Devanney said.
Devanney, 36, was the second highest vote-getter in the 2013 municipal election, a result attributed in large part to recognition of his well-known family name. In announcing his resignation from the town board earlier this month, he said he needed to spend more time with his family and at his job as an executive of Highland Park Market.
Devanney also cited divisive politics and a split among the board’s Democratic majority, with Mayor Jay Moran, Deputy Mayor Peg Hackett and Steve Gates representing the bipartisan approach. The other more recently elected Democratic members are Sarah Jones, Pamela Floyd-Cranford and Yolanda Castillo.
Devanney, a Republican, talked about “people on the other side who are pushing the message that we haven’t embraced our diversity.” They are doing so for political gain, he claimed, and not to serve all the people of Manchester. Jones, whom Devanney named as leader of the Democrats’ divisive wing, has denied the accusations and said she wishes Devanney and his family well.
In light of Devanney’s reasons for resigning from the board, Manchester Democratic town committee Chairman Mike Pohl said he will be watching for messages sponsored by Stronger CT.
“It’s going to be interesting what kind of ads they do,” Pohl said. “It’s going to be interesting if they come out and attack people.”