Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele today announced a fourth round of endorsements from 15 state and local leaders from business and government — including State Senator Rob Kane (R-Watertown) and three State Representatives. The 15 new endorsements announced today bring his total to 88 and continue to demonstrate statewide support for Fedele's campaign for Governor. To date, Lieutenant Governor Fedele has also gained the endorsements of 20 "super-delegates" to the Republican Convention on May 22, 2010.

The new endorsements also include State Rep. Chris Coutu (R-Norwich), State Rep. John Stripp (R-Weston) and State Rep. Sean Williams (R-Watertown) – as well as the First Selectmen from Goshen, Franklin, New Fairfield, North Stonington and Wilton along with other community and business leaders.

Fedele has so far earned the support of nearly a third of the Republican members of the General Assembly and 50 mayors and municipal officials from across Connecticut. The latest endorsements also mean that Fedele has earned the support of more than 40 percent of Connecticut's Republican Mayors and First Selectmen.

"The support for my campaign from so many people and so many elected leaders across Connecticut is encouraging and gratifying," Lt. Governor Fedele said. "These leaders understand what is at stake in the 2010 governor's race. They know Connecticut can't afford to place the future of Connecticut in the hands of someone who will need on-the-job training.

"I have 25 years of business experience and I have created jobs in more than 30 states. I've also served in the General Assembly for 10 years and as Lieutenant Governor for the past three years – during the most contentious and important budget battle in anyone's memory. I know how government works, I know how we can make it work better and I know how we can put the people of Connecticut back to work."

"Mike Fedele has the experience, the ability – and most importantly – the vision we need in our next Governor," Senator Rob Kane said. "Our state faces tremendous challenges. We truly are at a pivotal point in the economy – and controlling government spending and keeping the lid on new taxes are so critical to economic recovery. Mike understands what's in the budget and he is completely committed to making the tough spending cuts we have to make."

"I've known Mike Fedele for many years and there is no candidate who is better prepared for the enormous job the next Governor will face," Rep. Sean Williams said. "I know Mike will continue to be a voice of fiscal restraint and responsibility. With his business background, he understands that governments cannot spend more than they have – no more than any family or business can. He knows we need to create jobs and to balance the budget without new taxes."

"Governments at every level are being asked to provide more services with fewer resources," said Nicholas Mullane, First Selectman of North Stonington. "Cities and towns have had to cut back. Our Grand Lists are down, but mandates and contract costs keep increasing. Mike chaired the Task Force on Municipal Mandate Reform. He knows and is prepared to deal with our issues – which are after all, the issues of every citizen of the state."

"Connecticut faces many pressing concerns but creating jobs is really issue number one, two and three," Jamison Scott, Corporate Officer at Air Handling Systems 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:

Fourth Round – Announced 02/25/2010
State Senator Rob Kane (R-Watertown)
State Representative Christopher Coutu (R-Norwich)
State Representative John Stripp (R-Weston)
State Representative Sean Williams (R-Watertown)
Former State Representative Jack Stone (R-Fairfield)
Wilton First Selectman Bill Brennan
New Fairfield First Selectman John Hodge
Franklin First Selectman Richard Matters
North Stonington First Selectman Nicholas Mullane
Goshen First Selectman Robert Valentine
Former Newtown First Selectman Joseph Borst
Mrs. Lucy Corelli, Stamford Registrar of Voters
Mr. Fred Wilms, Chairman of the Norwalk Board of Estimate & Taxation
The Norwalk RTC Executive Committee
Mr. Jamison Scott, Corporate Officer at Air Handling Systems

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

 

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