Date: Fri 01-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-Cascella-Congress

Full Text:

Cascella Is Thinking About Moving To A Higher Office

BY STEVE BIGHAM

First Selectman Bob Cascella may be stepping down as the town's top official,

but he has still got politics on his mind.

Mr Cascella, 37, said this week that he is thinking of making a run for the US

House of Representatives. The 5th District US Congressional seat is currently

held by Democrat James Maloney of Danbury.

"I have not ruled out a run for higher office in 1998, or in subsequent

years," he said during an impromptu interview in his office earlier this week.

Mr Cascella announced in June that he would not seek reelection to a third

term as the town's top-ranking official, saying it was for personal reasons.

At the time, he gave few details, but said he never did anything without a

plan.

Some critics suggested privately that the first selectman's decision to step

down was an indication that he had lost his support in the Republican party.

However, this week's announcement indicates that Mr Cascella believes he still

has that support and is looking to move on to the next level.

According to the first selectman, some Republicans discussed putting him up

for the fifth district congressional seat soon after he easily won his second

election in Newtown in 1995.

Mr Cascella figures a run for Congress could cost around a million dollars.

He points out that Newtown lies right between Danbury and Waterbury, the two

largest cities in the 5th district. And he said that his experience in both

the blue and white collar jobs could help him with voters. The first selectman

was an electrician prior to winning the 1993 election over incumbent Zita

McMahon.

"I've been on both sides," he said. "I think that puts me in a very good

position."

Mr Cascella also said that coming from Newtown, he is not mired in big-city

politics.

Three Republicans, Mark Neilsen, a state senator from Waterbury; Tim Upson, a

state senator from Waterbury; and Derby mayor Alan Schlesinger have already

announced their plans to run against Mr Maloney next year.

According to Fergus Cullen, political director for the Connecticut

Republicans, more candidates are expected to join the race.

"Certainly Bob Cascella would bring a strong record of achievement to the

field," he said Wednesday.

Gary Franks, whom Mr Maloney defeated, has announced he will challenge US

Senator Christopher Dodd in 1998.

Mr Cascella said he also hasn't ruled out a run for the state legislature

"down the road," when either Rep Julia Wasserman or State Senator Fred

Lovegrove decide to step down.

As for his job as first selectman, Mr Cascella said it "was time for me to

move on. I saw the burn-out coming."

For now, however, Mr Cascella is still trying to find a job. The town stops

paying him in January. He said he has talked to a few "entities" about jobs,

but has not yet been hired.