Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele today announced a third round of endorsements from 22 government, community and business leaders—including nine members of the Connecticut General Assembly and Dick Moccia, the Mayor of Norwalk. The 22 new endorsements announced today bring his total to 75 and demonstrate broad statewide support just five weeks after announcing his campaign for Governor. To date, Lieutenant Governor Fedele has gained the endorsements of 16 "super-delegates" to the Republican Convention on May 22, 2010.

―Since announcing my candidacy for Governor, the support I have received from so many people and so many elected leaders across Connecticut has been extraordinary,‖ Lt. Governor Fedele said. ―I am pleased that these respected members of Connecticut's General Assembly and these municipal and community leaders are supporting my run for Governor. Every day, they see families and businesses in their towns and districts who continue to struggle in this troubled economy—and they understand that we can build a strong economic future by creating jobs, and that we need to seize that opportunity.

"The fact that I have the support of so many people who are active in our government and in our communities is significant. They know first-hand that we need to bring new and creative approaches to this economy," Fedele said. "We need to refocus the mission of Connecticut's government and make job creation Job One. These individuals have been my partners - whether on the state or local level—in encouraging the kind of pro- growth policies that will create the new jobs that will jump-start our economy."

"Mike Fedele has the right experience and the right vision to lead Connecticut as our next Governor," Mayor Dick Moccia of Norwalk said. "Mike has been a great Lieutenant Governor—his style of leadership incorporates both his government skills and his business and problem solving acumen. As the chief executive of a city, I understand the challenges of running a large government organization and trying to attract economic growth in your city."

"Mike built his own business right here in Connecticut. He knows what makes businesses grow and he knows what slows them down,‖ Mayor Moccia said. ―He has been a great citizen, businessman, legislator and Lt. Governor—and that is why I know he will make a great Governor.

The nine State House Members include State Rep. MaryAnn Carson (R-New Fairfield), State Rep. Anthony D’Amelio (R-Waterbury), State Rep. Lile Gibbons (R-Old Greenwich), State Rep. John Hetherington (R-New Canaan), State Rep. Debra Lee Hovey (R-Monroe), State Rep. John Piscopo (R-Thomaston), State Rep. John Rigby (R- Winsted), State Rep. Pam Sawyer (R-Bolton) and State Rep. Terrie Wood (R-Darien).

"We need Michael Fedele to lead the charge! It is his style and passion that puts him at the top. There is no one who understands the state's financial condition better than Michael Fedele,‖ said State Rep. Pam Sawyer (R-Bolton). ―His government and business experience make him the perfect person to drive Connecticut through to prosperous times quickly and aggressively.‖ Rep. Sawyer served with Lt. Governor Fedele in the State House of Representative for ten years and with him as President of the State Senate since 2007.

"Connecticut faces many challenges, but the number one issue facing Connecticut is jobs," State Rep. Anthony D’Amelio (R-Waterbury) said. "The bottom line is that Republicans try to create jobs and Democrats try to create taxes. That has always been one of the central distinctions of our parties. Mike is the best candidate to grow the economy instead of the government bureaucracy."

The full list of endorsements follows:

Third Round – Announced 01/12/2010
State Rep. MaryAnn Carson (R-New Fairfield)
State Rep. Anthony D’Amelio (R-Waterbury)
State Rep. Lile Gibbons (R-Old Greenwich)
State Rep. John Hetherington (R-New Canaan)
State Rep. Debra Lee Hovey (R-Monroe)
State Rep. John Piscopo (R-Thomaston)
State Rep. John Rigby (R-Winsted)
State Rep. Pam Sawyer (R-Bolton)
State Rep. Terrie Wood (R-Darien)
North Branford Mayor Anthony Candelora
Former Stamford Mayor Stanley Esposito
Norwalk Mayor Dick Moccia Colchester
First Selectman Gregg Schuster
State Board of Education Member Beverly Bobroske
Stamford Board of Finance Vice Chairman Bob Kolenberg
Stamford Board of Finance Member Joe Tarzia
Mrs. Beth Barhydt, Greenwich YGOP Chairwoman
Mr. Alan Hoffman, Republican State Central Member
Ms. Joi Reiner-Gallo, Republican State Central Member
Mr. Art Scialabba, Norwalk RTC Chairman and Republican State Central Member
Ms. Laurie Williamson, Republican State Central Member
Mr. Sam Zotto, Wolcott RTC Chairman

Second Round - Announced 12/09/2009
State Senator L. Scott Frantz
Bethlehem First Selectman Jeffrey Hammel
Bolton First Selectman Bob Morra
Burlington First Selectman Catherine Bergstrom
Greenwich Selectman David Theis
Greenwich Town Clerk Carmen Budkins
Haddam First Selectman Paul DeStefano Lisbon
First Selectman Thomas Sparkman
Litchfield First Selectman Leo Paul
Middlebury First Selectman Thomas Gormley
Middlefield First Selectman John Brayshaw
New Canaan Selectman Robert Mallozzi
New Hartford First Selectman Daniel Jerram
North Canaan First Selectman Douglas Humes
Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold
Orange First Selectman James Zeoli
Prospect Mayor Robert Chatfield
Roxbury First Selectman Barbara Henry
Somers First Selectman Lisa Pellegrini
Southbury First Selectman William Davis
Stamford Town Clerk Donna Loglisci
Trumbull Town Council Vice Chair Suzanne Testani
Waterford First Selectman Daniel Steward
Westbrook First Selectman Noel Bishop
Woodstock First Selectman Allan Walker, Jr
The Stamford Republican Town Committee
Mr. Ed Greenberg, Republican State Central Member
Mr. Mike Jachimczyk, Republican State Central Member
Mr. Chris Meek, Founder and Chairman of OurCTGOP and SoldierSocks
Mr. Tom Devine, Devine Brothers / Devine Bioheat
Atty. Gerald Farrell, Sr., CT Bar Association Criminal Law Executive Committee

First Round – Announced 12/03/2009
Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia
Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei
New Canaan First Selectman Jeb Walker
Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano
Enfield Mayor Scott Kaupin
New Milford Mayor Patricia Murphy
East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica
Glastonbury Town Council Chair Susan Karp
Newtown First Selectman Patricia Llodra
Farmington Town Council Chair Michael Clark
Wethersfield Mayor Donna Hemmann
Vernon Mayor Jason McCoy
Guilford First Selectman Joseph Mazza
Woodbury First Selectman Jerry Stomski
Durham First Selectman Laura Francis
Old Saybrook First Selectman Michael Pace
Mr. Larry Auriana, Co-Founder of the Kaufmann Fund
Mr. Giovanni Tomasi, President of RSL Fiber Optic Systems
Mr. Lee Rizzuto, Vice President of Conair Corporation
Mr. Cal Calderella, Old Saybrook Republican Town Committee Chair
Mr. Malcolm Pray, Founder of Pray Automotive
Mr. Ken Wilson, Guilford Republican Town Committee Member

 

###