Ray Runs For Branford State Rep

Ray Ingraham, who chairs Branford’s Republican Town Committee (RTC), says it’s time to set his sights on the state legislature.

“It’s been a desire of mine for a while to seek a higher office,” Ingraham told the Eagle. He has been a member on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) since 2011, and has served as Republican majority leader since 2013.

“It’s time to see what else I can do,” he said.

Ingraham filed paperwork this week to run for the state representative seat in the 102nd District. He will be opposing Democratic incumbent Lonnie Reed, who announced in January that she is seeking her fifth term.

Hartford Broken

Ingraham, 53, said he thinks the state legislature needs new ideas, especially in regard to the budget. ​“Things are broken in Hartford,” he said, and legislators only have two-year terms to try to fix them. ​“The main item is the budget,” he said, adding that the state needs to forecast revenues better.

Rep. Reed is chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, and is a member of the powerful Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee. She has been instrumental in bringing bio-tech businesses to Branford, and supporting business expansions.

Reed, who was one of only 11 Democrats to vote against the state budget last session, has said ​“getting our fiscal house in order must be a top priority.”

Ingraham said his career in Information Technology gives him experience in the ​“streamlining process” when it comes to budgetary issues, and his membership on the RTM has familiarized him with balancing a budget.

Asked about other issues of concern to Branford, he said he is concerned about the environment. ​“We’re located on the Sound, so the environment is very important.”

Ingraham said he will seek public financing for his campaign, saying it’s a good opportunity. In order to qualify for public financing, a candidate needs to raise a threshold amount of $5,000 in small-dollar contributions, ranging between $5 and $100. When that goal is achieved, a candidate secures $25,000 in public financing.

Reed was successful in obtaining public financing for her upcoming campaign this year. 

Ingraham said that during the campaign, he will remain chair of the RTC, a position he has held since 2010.

Ray’s Presidential Choice? 

Ingraham said the RTC doesn’t endorse candidates in the presidential primary, and he declined to name his favorite candidate, be it Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz or Gov. John Kasich of Ohio. He said he doesn’t want to use his RTC chairmanship to influence others in the presidential primary process. The April 26 presidential primary in Connecticut will determine the Republican Party’s choice.

Ingraham said much of what he learned about public life, politics and volunteering came from the years he’s spent in Branford. When he retired from the U. S. Air Force in 1986, he and his family moved to Branford.

“I just wanted to get involved — it’s the right thing to do,” he said, adding that he enjoys the RTM and helping people in his district. ​“I really like representing and speaking for people.”

Ingraham was born in New Haven, and was graduated from East Haven High School. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1980, attaining the rank of sergeant, and served as a tactical computer operations specialist. He spent two tours in the Middle East during the Iraq war, training Saudi Arabian officers on the use of messaging and radar systems.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1986, he moved to Branford with his wife Mary Jane Crowley Ingraham, whose family has summered in Branford since 1895. The couple has three daughters and five grandchildren.

He describes himself as a self-taught Information Technology manager, currently employed at CIGNA Corporation.

Ingraham has been active in local organizations and sports. He is a member of the Indian Neck Improvement Association, American Legion Post 83, and the Branford Elks; and is on the advisory board of Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance. He has been involved with the Branford Festival for seven years, serving as chairman in 2008, and as vice-president of the Festival Corporation.

He has been active in the Branford Sports Council, and was the founding member of the Branford High School Softball Booster Club, and the Branford Friends of Field Hockey. He served as assistant coach for both Walsh Intermediate School field hockey, and Branford High School field hockey. He was involved with Branford Girls Softball for 24 years, serving as coach, vice president and president.

The 102nd District

The 102nd District includes all of Branford except for Stony Creek and Pine Orchard, which is represented by state Rep. Sean Scanlon (D) of Guilford.

Scanlon announced his run for a second term in January. So far no Republican candidate has announced his or her candidacy against Scanlon. 

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