Republican delegates from first congressional district member towns met at 10AM today at the West Hartford town hall to nominate and select their congressional candidate.
Joseph Visconti, currently serving as a member of the West Hartford Town Council, received the GOP nod with no contest in a unanimous decision.
From Joe’s Website:
Joe is a businessman, a member of the West Hartford Town Council, patron of the arts and community activist. He serves on the council’s Community Planning and Development Committee, and is the Council liaison to the West Hartford Board of Education.
On hand were two of our own Town Council members Eric Thompson and Don Pitkin as well as RTC members Paul Roczynski (Chairman), Patrick Sanzo, Dominic Fulco and Joe Kronen to serve as delegates to represent East Hartford in candidate selection.
The biggest question now is how much a challenge can Visconti pose to the incumbent Larson who no doubt has taken for granted a victory in November based on the history of the 1st congressional district. The 1st Congressional district has belonged to the democrat party since 1959 with Larson in office since 1999.
Despite the overwhelming (greater than 2 to 1) voter registration benefit the democrats enjoy it will be interesting to see if district voters of all affiliations are ready for a change of pace. Personally, I think 10 years in office is long enough when after 10 years we still have the same excessive and abusive taxation we had in the beginning with less to show for it than if we received no federal benefits at all.
From Tax Foundation:
Federal Tax Burdens and Expenditures: Connecticut Is a Donor State
Connecticut taxpayers receive less federal funding per dollar of federal taxes paid compared to the average state. Per dollar of Federal tax collected in 2005, Connecticut citizens received approximately $0.69 in the way of federal spending. This ranks the state 3rd lowest nationally, slightly higher than in 1995 when Connecticut ranked last, receving $0.68 in federal spending per dollar of taxes. Neighboring states and the federal spending received per dollar of federal taxes collected were: New York ($0.79), Massachusetts ($0.82), New Hampshire ($0.71), Vermont ($1.08) and Rhode Island ($1.00).
Video is below. Forgive the shakiness. I didn’t bring my tripod.
Convention comes to order.
Convention reconvenes and rules committee gives convention rules report.
Credentials committee gives delegate report.
Ralph Capenera gives nominating speech for Joe Visconti.
Theresa McGrath gives a seconding speech for Joe Visconti.
Joe Visconti is confirmed and accepts the nomination.
Tags: 1st Congressional District, Convention, Delegates, East Hartford, GOP, John Larson, Joseph Visconti, RTC
