Linda Gentile’s bid for a seventh term representing the state’s 104th House District may be her toughest in some time.
Gentile, a Democrat who cruised to victory by nearly double the votes of her Republican challenger two years ago, is facing off against Republican nominee Joseph Jaumann, a lawyer and chairman of the Ansonia Planning and Zoning Commission who has sought to tie Gentile to the policies of her fellow Democrat, Gov. Dannel Malloy.
Election Day is Nov. 8.
Click here to look up your polling place.
The Campaign
Since announcing his campaign in July Jaumann has been canvassing the 104th District, which covers Ansonia and parts of Derby, introducing himself to voters and has messaging aggressively via op-eds and press releases.
Jaumann has linked Gentile to Gov. Malloy’s unpopular administration, saying that the district needs a more independent voice in Hartford.
Gentile has pointed to her record of bringing grants and other funds to projects in the Valley, and has also cited issues where she has disagreed with Malloy.
For instance, during a podcast interview with the Valley Indy last month, Gentile said she was disappointed Malloy’s administration appealed a ruling by a superior court judge directing the legislature to institute changes to how the state funds public education.
Click the play button below to listen to the podcast in its entirety.
Jaumann also stopped by the Valley Indy to record a podcast interview. He said voters have been telling him they want to leave the state because of the sluggish economy, and that voters should send more pro-business candidates to Hartford to turn around the situation.
Click the play button below to listen to Jaumann’s interview.
In interviews published last week in the New Haven Register and Connecticut Post, the candidates staked out similar claims.
For instance, while Jaumann told the Register the state has to stop being “ransomed” and “bribed” to get big companies to move or stay here, Gentile said that small businesses are a key to growth, and that thousands have opened in Connecticut this year alone.
In the Post, Gentile emphasized her experience in office, while Jaumann argued the state is headed in the wrong direction.
Endorsements, Op-Eds
The candidates have also been speaking out on the issues through guest columns and press releases.
Both candidates, for example, are against any mileage tax proposals — click here for Gentile’s views and here for Jaumann’s.
In other columns, Jaumann has written about:
Gentile has drawn attention to:
- State grants for the Derby library as well as grants for schools in Ansonia and in Derby.
The Independent Party has endorsed Jaumann.
The Working Families Party has endorsed Gentile.
Gentile also has the support of the Connecticut Realtors Organization, the National Organization for Women, and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association.
