2 Republicans Vie To Take On Larson
Two Republicans with business backgrounds are vying to oust U.S. Rep. John Larson from the 1st District seat the powerful Democrat has held for six terms.
Consultant Ann Brickley of Wethersfield, who advises businesses on how to be more competitive, and Mark Zydanowicz of West Hartford, an owner of Guida's Milk & Ice Cream, will face off in an Aug. 10 primary. The diverse district they seek to represent stretches from Hartford and its suburbs to Torrington and the Northwest Corner.
The two candidates recently answered questions focused on the economy, taxes and education.
Military politics
By Steve Collins
Staff Writer
As congressional Democrats ponder how to handle the war in Afghanistan, two Republican hopefuls in Connecticut’s 1st District each said that politicians shouldn’t get in the way of military success.
Wethersfield business owner Ann Brickley, the GOP’s endorsed candidate, said Congress “should do all it can to support” Gen. David Petraeus “and our men and women in uniform serving in Afghanistan and give them the time and resources they need to fully implement the counterinsurgency strategy to defeat the insurgents who threaten the security of the Afghan people and provide assistant to the terrorists.”
ZYDANOWICZ: U.S. MUST SUPPORT ISRAEL, LARSON STILL SILENT
Republican First Congressional candidate Mark Zydanowicz today said he steadfastly believes the United States must support Israel and push for a peaceful resolution to the Gaza blockade situation.
"My thoughts and prayers are with those families who have lost loved ones -- which included an American citizen -- as well as those related to the injured Israeli commandos," Zydanowicz said, "but the United States must show strength and foresight."
Zydanowicz expressed concern that U.S. Rep. John Larson, despite being pressed by the media for his views on the situation, remains silent.
ZYDANOWICZ: LARSON MUST APOLOGIZE FOR COMMENT ON U.S. MILITARY
Republican First Congressional candidate Mark Zydanowicz today demanded a public apology from U.S. Rep. John Larson for making disparaging statements about the United States military.
On May 29, while participating in a Memorial Day parade in Newington, Larson became engaged in a vigorous debate with some other attendees regarding who was responsible for the national debt. During the exchange, Larson said that the U.S. military was a "social program" which has increased the country's debt.
ZYDANOWICZ: TUESDAY'S PRIMARIES SEND LOUD MESSAGE
Republican First Congressional candidate Mark Zydanowicz today said the results of Tuesday's primaries convey a rejection by the American people of the constitutional violations of Democratic policies supported by U.S. Rep. John Larson.
"It appears the mood of the country has shifted," said Zydanowicz, "to a more commonsense approach to how we want to be governed at the federal level -- and I suspect the same message will be sent to Hartford in November as well."
