Adrian H. Bonenberger (pictured), a former infantry officer deployed twice to Afghanistan, whose backers are strong believers in the liberal Working Families Party (WFP), plans to challenge incumbent state Rep Lonnie Reed (D‑Branford) in the November election.
He informed Reed this morning that he plans to announce his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Branford’s 102nd District tonight. “My platform is going to be on the left side of the political spectrum: higher taxes; legalization, regulation, and taxation of certain narcotics; a single-payer health care system similar to Europe’s; a reduction in military obligations overseas in those places we can afford to leave without causing damage; protection for workers’ rights; and an environment-first stance toward conservation as well as the energy industry,” he wrote in a note.
This is Bonenberger’s first foray into politics. Connecticut’s primaries take place on Aug. 14.
On both the national and local scene, leftist progressives want to push the Democratic Party further to the left as Dems struggle to determine the party’s identity. Over the weekend U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein failed to win the official endorsement of the California Democratic Party as she sought her fifth term in office.
Sully Switches
Bonenberger’s campaign treasurer is Chris Sullivan, former chairman of the Branford Democratic committee and the current minority leader of the Representative Town Meeting. Sullivan was a strong Bernie Sanders supporter in the 2016 presidential campaign. His decision not to support Reed in this election year will play out on the local Democratic scene.
Bonenberger, 40, spent the last two years in Ukraine where his wife currently lives. He now lives with his parents in Branford. He has lived abroad for the past decade. He is a writer and author whose book, “Afghan Post,” was published in 2014. He now works in the communications office at the Yale Medical School.
“I’ve spent much of the last 10 years overseas in various cultures that are very different from ours, both as a journalist and as an Army infantry officer, and have come to cultivate a deep respect for my fellow citizens. I’ve also seen how our town, state, and country are threatened by a drift toward frightened conservatism – the reactionary impulse to build walls, cut taxes, and hoard guns can only diminish America’s strength, as well as what makes America’s strength possible,” he told Reed.
Reed (pictured) is now serving her 10th year in the legislature. She is the co-chair of the Energy and Technology committee and a member of the powerful Finance committee. She has taken issue with state Democrats on their budget and joined the Republicans last year to get the budget issue on the table. The WFP has challenged her views because they may not be liberal enough.
In the past, Reed has traditionally waited until late May to make her announcement for re-election. The legislative session ends in May. So far she has not formally said if she intends to seek re-election. State Rep. Sean Scanlon (D‑Guilford and Branford) has formally announced his candidacy; State Sen. Ted Kennedy, Jr. has not, but is expected to run for state office again.
Bonenberger Sends a Note
Bonenberger told Reed that he was reaching out to her before his announcement. “Out of respect for your accomplishments on behalf of Connecticut and Branford, I wanted to make every effort to let you know beforehand that I’d made a decision, and was moving forward with my campaign.”
He praised her legislative accomplishments. “I will be focusing on my issues, and running a positive campaign that does justice to what you have achieved. Where I disagree with some of your recent choices, I understand why you made them, and respect that you were looking out for Branford’s interests. Ultimately, at the end of the campaign, Branford must be represented by a Democrat, and I plan to do nothing with my campaign that threatens this desired end state.”
Bonenberger recently filed his candidate committee registration form with the state Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC).
In backing Bonenberger instead of Reed, Sullivan has taken a stand that may alienate him from the local Democratic Party, which has endorsed Reed in prior elections. Sullivan has ties to the WFP and to State Rep. Josh Elliot of Hamden. The WFP is a union-financed group that provides candidates staff to help them in select primaries. It also cross-endorses in dozens of general elections. Click here to read the CT Mirror’s story on Elliot and the WFP.
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Adrian is a solid human. I know him from high school and as an adult. It is great to see younger folks getting into State politics and shaking up the Democratic Party. Best of luck!