Ferguson Enters 106th District Race For GOP

By John Voket

Republican Councilman George Ferguson likens his late entry into the 106th District legislative race to the oft used sports cliché of the player getting called off the bench as seconds tick away, and being given the opportunity to make the game-changing play.

“The past week has been like a ground game in football,” Mr Ferguson said September 8. “I’ve been very, very busy, but it’s been fun — walking in the [Labor Day] parade, seeing a lot of people, and talking to the media. It’s been quite enjoyable”

A few days earlier, Mr Ferguson sat down with The Bee for his first extended interview as the local GOP’s new assembly district candidate. That chat came just about 24 hours after receiving a call from local GOP leaders saying he was on a “short list” of potential replacements for departing challenger Chris LaRocque.

As Mr LaRocque was issuing a statement withdrawing from the legislative race, and resigning from the local legislative council, on Thursday, September 2, Mr Ferguson was making the first round of calls to local political confidants trying to determine if he should take up the mantle in Mr LaRocque’s stead.

As The Bee previously reported, Mr LaRocque closed out his short-lived political career just two weeks after an announcement that his campaign had been rejected “with prejudice” from participation in a publicly funded state campaign finance program.

While he had some idea that Mr LaRocque might withdraw from the legislative race he was mounting against Democratic State Representative Chris Lyddy, Mr Ferguson said that he had only a few hours to consider the opportunity, and to determine whether to move forward as the GOP’s candidate.

Answering in the affirmative, Mr Ferguson said he was endorsed as the new 106th District candidate by late Thursday afternoon.

Admitting he had no time to script official talking points or campaign strategy, the councilman and legislative candidate nonetheless offered several perspectives to local voters about what expertise he might bring to the table to help support steering Connecticut back onto a path of fiscal and economic security.

Mr Ferguson also took issue with what he described as the sometimes “toxic” nature of local political contests in recent years.

And he discussed the fact that he received unwavering support for his effort on the home front.

He admitted that his campaign is in the “underdog” position, given that Mr Ferguson not only needs to build townwide name recognition, but also to raise the funds necessary to complete a successful campaign just two months before the election.

The candidate believes that at the state level, Connecticut has borrowed future generations into too much debt, and that with the overwhelming Democratic majority in Hartford, “There are no checks and balances.”

Mr Ferguson said he does not see the Republican Party reclaiming any majority in Hartford this year, so he is prepared, if elected, to join a number of newly elected Republicans to help bring the legislature a bit closer to a balance.

“Right now, we don’t have a two-party system in the State of Connecticut,” he said.

In one of the few direct mentions of his opponent, Rep Lyddy, Mr Ferguson said is was probably “difficult for the sitting assemblyman to buck his party because of his youth.”

The new GOP challenger said he offers somewhat more “world experience,” with several degrees in finance.

“I’ve been responsible for national programs,” Mr Ferguson said. “I’m very clear on economics, and I believe that’s the kind of focus, wisdom, and experience that’s going to be important in representing Newtown in Hartford.”

Since his official entry into the race, Mr Ferguson said he has already reached out to, and received a lot of important feedback from, Newtowners in the few days he has had to ramp up his campaign.

“I’ve been hearing from constituents — Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated residents — who realize we are in an economic crisis situation in Connecticut regarding our budget,” Mr Ferguson said. “And they want government officials to behave similarly to how they run their households — and they dont see that in the current legislature.”

Despite the latest news of a robust state surplus and an announcement that Connecticut will be enjoying substantial interest savings on its most recent round of borrowing, Mr Ferguson said the current Democrat-controlled legislature has authorized “balancing the state budget by putting it on the credit card.”

“Even at lower interest, it’s money our kids will have to pay back, if they choose to remain in Connecticut,” Mr Ferguson said. “And I’m afraid that’s the real challenge; if it stays like this, people will be running for the exits.”

That is, the people who told the legislative candidate they can still afford to leave, Ferguson said.

“Many have said their property values have fallen so far, they cant afford to leave,” Mr Ferguson said of the constituent conversations he’s had so far. “If somebody doesn’t do something in Hartford, taxes are going to go through the roof.”