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An extract above from an affidavit from state Senator Gayle Slossberg (D-Milford) detailing her treatment by Supreme Court Justice Andrew McDonald.

More to follow.

A Connecticut tradition continues. Former speaker becomes lobbyist.

Lobbyist favorite Arunan Arulampalam took his bid for state treasurer to The Owl Shop in New Haven Saturday for a stogie with Democratic town chairman Vincent Mauro, Daily Ructions can report. Arulampalam, a Hartford Democrat, is searching for delegates in his race against Shawn Wooden and, more recently, wealthy Greenwich Democrat Dita Bhargava.

Toni Harp, New Haven’s mayor, gave an early and full-throated endorsement to Wooden in the competition to succeed five-term incumbent Democrat Denise Nappier. That ought to provide Wooden with a significant tranche of the city’s large delegation to the state nomination convention, even in this tumultuous year.

Neither Arulampalam nor Bhargava has held elective office. Wooden served a term on Hartford’s city council before losing a ferocious 2014 primary to then-state Senator Eric Coleman. Bhargava was exploring a race for governor, shopped herself around for lieutenant governor without finding any takers, and last week settled on a run for treasurer.

Take that, Timothy Larson. The East Hartford Democrat used his influence on the legislature’s insurance committee to veto a public hearing on a bill to require insurance companies to participate in a solution to the crumbling foundation crisis east of the Connecticut River. The petulant Larson’s gambit won’t work. State Senator Paul Doyle will use his position as co-chairman of the judiciary committee to hold a public hearing on crumbling foundations.

Doyle, who is running for the Democratic nomination for attorney general, made the announcement Thursday night when meeting with Democrats in Danielson. William Tong, who is co-chair of judiciary and also running for attorney general, was at the meeting, offered no support. Larson is Tong’s campaign treasurer.

Former state Representative David Alexander is seeking the Democratic nomination in the 7th Senate District. The Enfield resident is attempting a comeback after several alcohol-fueled arrests in 2015 and 2016. Alexander was defeated for re-election to the House in 2016.

If nominated, Alexander will face incumbent Republican state Senator John Kissel of Enfield, which is the biggest town in the district.

Maybe if it had something to do with coyotes state Senator Timothy Larson (D-East Hartford) would have allowed a bill on addressing the plague of crumbling foundations in the Hartford area and eastern Connecticut to receiving a public hearing. Instead, the co-chairman of the Committee on Insurance and Real Estate used his influence to deny the public an opportunity to make their case to require companies that insure homes to participate in a solution.

The courtesy of a public hearing is rarely denied advocates on a pressing issue–and is often accorded to minor ones. Communities in Larson’s district have been burdened with a growing number of distressed foundations. The former East Hartford mayor sided with insurance companies in opposing a hearing for the bill, according to the Journal Inquirer.

Larson is serving as the treasurer of Will Tong’s campaign for attorney general. His anti-homeowner stance will make Tong a target of furious homeowners. Tong will have a difficult time squaring his mildly populist appeal with Larson’s blow to thousands of homeowners. Social media was ablaze Wednesday with furious rebukes of Larson. He may be beyond the political reach of many but Tong is not. Beleaguered homeowners have been introduced to the levers of power in this protracted crisis. They heave learned to speak the language of Connecticut politics. Denying Tong local delegates to the state Democratic nominating convention is one way to revive the bill.

Meanwhile, Larson has been busy warning constituents that they and their pets face danger from a growing coyote population. He suggests fences may be the only solution.

Democratic operative Jonathan Harris is enjoying a busy week. The West Hartford Democrat will finally convert his exploratory committee for statewide office into a candidate committee for governor. The former legislator and mayor is also having to spend more time than he expected whipping West Hartford Democrats into line behind his lackluster effort for high office. Anything other than unanimous support among delegates would be a fatal embarrassment. A tranche of local activists would rather not sit out the campaign as Harris supporters but to follow their hearts and minds might have local consequences.

Still no word on when Harris will release those ugly emails and other records the state Democratic party paid more than $300,000 to keep secret and end an investigation into what Harris and other Malloy loyalists did to subvert campaign finance laws in 2014. You’ll know Harris is getting some traction when Democrats and Republicans start to shine a light on that slimy burden.

The legislature’s most natural politician will not run for re-election. State Senator Tony Guglielmo (R-Stafford) announced Friday he will end his long tenure this year. Guglielmo defeated three-term incumbent Democrat Marie Herbst in 1992 in an upset seen as a reaction to the imposition of a state income tax. Eastern Connecticut working families were particularly vexed by the enormous tax hike. They directed their wrath at Herbst, who was the key vote in the Senate to open the spigot on vast increases in state spending.

Guglielmo issued this statement:

“I truly love public service,” Guglielmo, 78, said.  “It’s been a great ride, but I feel that now it’s time to pass the torch. 

“I just want to say how grateful I am to the people of northeastern Connecticut.  It’s been an honor and a privilege to represent them in Hartford.  The people of the 35^th Senatorial District are well-informed and they have never been shy about telling me their opinions. Their ideas and feedback have made me a better, more effective, more responsive legislator.  Their input, and the friendships I have made with them through the years, has enriched my experience as a lawmaker.

“This is my 26^th year as a state senator.  Over that span, I have met and worked with so many amazing and talented people who have dedicated themselves to improving the quality of life here in Connecticut.  To the lawmakers and staff that I have been so fortunate to get to know over the years: thank you.

“Most importantly, I thank my family, especially my wife Doris, for the sacrifices they have all made in allowing me to serve Connecticut taxpayers.  My family has been my rock, and I’m a very lucky man to have them in my life.

“Over the next several months, I will be working to help Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne become the new state senator for our region.  Dan has the experience and knowledge to do an excellent job as state senator.  He cares deeply about the future of our state and he will always put taxpayers first.

“I’m looking forward to this, my final legislative session.  I have prided myself on being able to work with Democrats and Republicans in areas such as public safety, and I know that cooperation will continue this year.  Politics is about relationships and it’s about finding common ground in order to pass meaningful legislation that helps people in their daily lives.  We all need to continue striving toward that common sense goal because we all love and believe in Connecticut.”

Guglielmo is the Co-Chair of the Public Safety Committee. He is a Member of the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee. He represents Ashford, Chaplin, Coventry, Eastford, Ellington, Hampton, Pomfret, Stafford, Tolland, Union, Vernon, Willington, Woodstock. 

Guglielmo, a relentless provider of constituent services, has enjoyed a firm hold on his northeastern Connecticut district, which in this fall’s race will likely lean Republican.

The legislature’s judiciary committee begins a slew of re-confirmation hearings for judges today. The members have an additional essential task today. Each member should condemn the anti-Semitism that has been directed at Superior Court Judge Jane Emons, who is before the committee for a second term on the bench.

Search Judge Emons online and links to the abuse to which she has been subjected appear. It is appalling and cannot be met with silence. Judge Emons should not have to face this alone. An assignment to family court should not be a prelude to hideous abuse.