Gerry Garcia launched a campaign Thursday to become the state’s first Latino on a statewide Democratic ticket and the first New Havener in a constitutional office in 19 years.
Garcia used the Internet to announce his campaign for secretary of the state in 2010. The incumbent, Susan Bysiewicz, has been traveling the state laying the foundation for a run for governor.
Secretary of the state is one of six statewide constitutional offices. The others: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer and comptroller.
Some voters have never in their lifetimes been represented by a New Havener or Latino in any of those offices.
Two other Democrats have formed exploratory committees for secretary of the state: State Reps. Jamie Spallone of Chester and Kelvin Roldan of Hartford (who, like Garcia, is Hispanic). Garcia, a 38 year-old financial adviser who served as a New Haven alderman from 1996 to 2001, skipped the “exploratory” stage and formed an official candidate committee.
His campaign manager is State Rep. Jason Bartlett.
Garcia said he hope to help more small businesses move to Connecticut and up the number of voters if elected to the post.
Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and Sonia Sotomayor’s appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court inspired him to return to the electoral arena, he said.
Latino politicians have complained for years now that the Democratic Party hasn’t found a slot for an Hispanic for any of the statewide constitutional offices — governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of the state, treasurer or comptroller.
“I want to give voice to people who aren’t represented in our system. People are looking for a fresh voice. They’re looking for people who speak their language. People are looking for change,” ” Garcia said in an interview.
“I’m a Puerto Rican Jew born on Bastille Day. I’m married to a Polish Catholic who one day will be our newest American. My campaign manager is a black gay legislator from Bethel.”
Raising The Bar
As a former elected official and as a small business owner based in New Haven, Garcia argued, he has the right background for the two main functions of the secretary of the state position. (click on the play arrow to watch the announcement video he released Thursday.)
The office handles small-business permitting and databases. Garcia promised to make the office a “one-stop shop” for small businesses looking to locate in the state. He’d do that by offering fast information on where to find resources in the state, linking people to small-business councils and Chambers of Commerce, providing marketing and demographic information, and a building a network to link employers to workers.
The office also oversees elections. Garcia said he’d push to increase voter turnout dramatically. He’d do that in part by pushing to allow people to vote over several weeks rather than just on one Election Day.
People can pay their taxes beginning on Jan. 1 each year, he noted. They don’t have to wait until April 15. Why should voting be different? he argued.
“I love having the final big push on Election Day. But can’t we be more flexibly in 21st century Connecticut?” he asked. “People of our age and younger have had a coming of age in a time when two elections were stolen. It’s great that we have the new voting machines. But we need 21st century voting solutions.”
According to the secretary of the state’s office, 80.5 percent of the state’s registered voters went to the polls in the 2008 presidential election; 60 percent in the 2006 statewide elections; and 79 percent in the 2004 presidential election.
Garcia set a goal: If elected, he’d aim to see at least 90 percent of the state’s registered voters going to the polls in presidential elections and 80 percent on even-numbered off-year elections.
In addition to serious goals, Garcia plans to have some fun on the campaign trail: At campaign events, don’t be surprised to find samples of Cherry Garcia. Ben & Jerry’s named that ice cream after another Garcia with the same first name, albeit spelled it with a different first initial.
None Since Riddle
The last New Havener to hold a statewide constitutional office was Clarine Nardi Riddle, who served as attorney general until 1991. She succeeded then-New Havener Joe Lieberman. New Havener Henry Parker served as state treasurer from 1975 to 1986.
State Sen. Toni Harp is among the New Haven-based state legislators who have pledged support to Garcia’s campaign this year. Harp called him a “hard-working, intelligent, motivated young man.”
Garcia has spent months lining up support beyond his home base, finding support in places like Waterbury and Monroe.
Monroe is where Ronald Petronella lives. Petronella, executive vice-president of Local 371 of the United Food and Commercial Workers, has signed on as Garcia’s campaign treasurer.
Why?
Petronella’s ties to Garcia go back to the candidate’s childhood. Garcia’s father was a shop steward in Petronella’s union, at the old Fire Guard factory in New Haven. As a student, Gerry won a union-sponsored scholarship. And as an alderman, Gerry went to co-sponsor the state’s first municipal living-wage bill. “He gets it,” Petronella said.
DeStefano Not Committing
One New Haven political figure not lining up Garcia is Mayor John DeStefano. He said he’s waiting to see whether another potential candidate decides to run: Mary Glassman, first selectwoman of SImsbury.
Glassman was DeStefano’s running mate when he campaigned for governor in 2006.
“Gerry’s a local guy. I have a good relationship with Gerry,” DeStefano said. “But I want to see who the field will be.”
Good luck Garry! Your dad must be proud and your mom is watching!