Layla Wolfsky ’19
1.Dave Walker (R)
Walker is a Bridgeport resident and former Comptroller General of the United States and CEO of the Government Accountability Office, the legislative agency that ensures the fiscal and managerial accountability of the national government. If elected, Walker plans to take steps to increase economic growth and get the state’s finances in order. “I was recruited to run for Governor by a number of business, professional and community leaders in Connecticut who are very concerned about the current state of our state,” Walker said. Walker collected $72,156 in his first quarter of fundraising.
2. Steve Obsitnik (R)
Westport resident Obsitnik is a U.S. Navy veteran and has been an entrepreneur and CEO of multiple technology companies. According to Obsitnik’s campaign website, his “goal is for Connecticut to be a real option for our children to want to choose to stay here to earn a living and raise their families as we have done. […] This should be the vision in front of us to enact a turnaround for Connecticut.” As of Sept. 30 Obsitnik’s exploratory committee raised $265,363.
3. Jacey Wyatt (D)
Wyatt is a transgender businesswoman from Branford, Connecticut. Wyatt is not pleased with what she sees happening in the State of Connecticut and believes a political outsider can bring a new perspective and fresh ideas. According to Wyatt’s campaign website, she believes, “Our State’s current economy is and has not been working for everyone. With costs of living spiraling out of control and getting higher by the day, government needs to resist the urge to continue to impose more taxes, and our focus needs to be our budget.”
4. Mark Lauretti (R)
Lauretti has served as the mayor of Shelton since 1991. As mayor, Lauretti has helped Shelton achieve economic growth. After seeing this success in Shelton, Lauretti hopes to take it to the state level. His primary goal is to improve Connecticut’s financial health. According to Lauretti’s campaign website, he believes, “We need to keep taxes in check and make our state more friendly to businesses so they can come to depend upon a stable economic environment that is consistent and predictable.” He raised about $145,000 in his first months as a candidate.
5. Prasad Srinivasan (R)
Srinivasan has been a resident of Glastonbury, Connecticut for 36 years and has been a practicing doctor in the area for more than 30 years. Srinivasan is also an Assistant Republican Leader and member of the Public Health Committee in the Connecticut General Assembly. Srinivasan believes that Connecticut is in need of a stable foundation for economic growth. According to Srinivasan’s campaign website, he believes, “Our businesses tell us repeatedly that our regulations are choking growth, that our business climate is unpredictable and that we are taxed to the point that it is difficult to compete.” Srinivasan has raised $255,000 in individual donations of no more than $100 each.
6. Tim Herbst (R)
Herbst has spent the past eight years serving as Trumbull’s First Selectman, and according to his campaign website, he “brought Trumbull from a town on the brink of financial ruin to one of the most prosperous, well-managed municipalities in the state.” Herbst has raised $148,590 since January.
7. Dan Drew (D)
Drew has been the Mayor of Middletown, Connecticut since 2011. He was an EMT when he was 18 years old, and after graduating from UConn, he became a journalist. According to his campaign website, Drew is running because “he wants to work towards creating economic opportunity for Connecticut residents that mirrors Middletown’s success.” As of June, his campaign had raised more than $177,000, pushing him ahead of numerous candidates.
