The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Empty seats expected at upcoming GOP debate
Only eight of 11 Republicans are scheduled to take stage Wednesday
The transition from Greenwich hedge fund mogul to running with the herd of Republican candidates for governor hasn’t been so smooth for David Stemerman, who for the second time in as many months is expected to skip a GOP debate this week.
Three months after registering as a candidate and wiring his campaign $1.8 million in personal funds, the Conatus Capital Management founder has not told party leadership if he will participate in Wednesday’s forum in Hebron, in Tolland County.
“I do not think so,” said J.R. Romano, chairman of the Connecticut Republicans. “I have not heard.”
The GOP has scheduled debates in each of the state’s five congressional districts. So far, only eight of 11 Republicans are slated to take the stage Wednesday.
Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, who skipped the first debate in December, will attend. Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti and one-time UBS and General Electric executive Bob Stefanowski, of Madison, have not committed. A spokesman for Stemerman’s campaign told Hearst Connecticut Media that Stemerman will not attend.
Stemerman’s snub has rankled some Republicans in the crowded field, who say the self-funder isn’t willing to roll up his sleeves to earn the party’s nomination. Former Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst, who plans to attend the debate, said not showing up is cheating the public.
“These debates are job interviews,” Herbst said. “Any person who doesn’t participate in these debates denies Republican primary voters the opportunity to make that assessment.”
Herbst said Stemerman has been a no-show at Republican Town Committee meetings since his appearance at the state GOP’s annual Prescott Bush Awards dinner in late September.
Patrick Sweeney, Stemerman’s campaign spokesman, said the candidate is preparing for the launch of his campaign.
“David recently finished the process of winding down his business,” Sweeney said. “He is focused now on studying state issues and meeting with party leaders and activists. He will be launching his campaign with a major speech in February.”
Lauretti, who is actively campaigning, having visited town committess across the state and made regular public appearances, missed the first debate to attend a brownfield cleanup conference in Pittsburgh.
“I just don’t understand the value of it at this point in time,” Lauretti said. “You’re going to be up on stage with so many people. There’s a lot of town committee meetings that night.”
Lauretti questioned the timing and need for the debates, noting Democrats aren’t doing them.
“My barometer on these things is when you see the Democrats doing them, then you should take note,” Lauretti said. “Because they’re pretty good at politics.”
Lauretti said he wouldn’t hold it against Stemerman bypassing the debates.
“He’s probably going be a petition candidate and run his campaign with the general public, which is not a bad strategy,” Lauretti said. “Believe me, I’ve contemplated the same thing.”
Unlike Lauretti and Herbst, Stemerman and Stefanowski are forgoing public campaign financing.
“I would submit to you that people like Mr. Stemerman and Mr. Stefanowski and a few others are not participating in (the Citizens’ Election Program) because they do not have a base of support,” Herbst said.
Qualifying candidates for governor who raise $250,000 from at least 2,500 donors can get $1.4 million for the primary and $6.5 million for the general election as their party’s nominee under the program, which is intended to limit special interest money in state races.
“Asking our hard-working taxpayers for $1.4 million to fund a political campaign in a state with a $3.5 billion deficit is nothing to brag about,” Stefanowski said. “With 20 candidates, the (program) could cost Connecticut over $25 million just for the office of governor.”
“These debates are job interviews. Any person who doesn’t participate in these debates denies Republican primary voters the opportunity to make that assessment.”
Tim Herbst,
Former Trumbull Selectman