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Lucky Len Suzio as the year draws to a close. The Meriden Republican won the seat in November that had he held for most of a term early in the decade. Suzio defeated three term incumbent Dante Bartolomeo, a Meriden Democrat, who had defeated him in previous matches in the district that includes all of parts of Cheshire, Meriden, Middlefield and Middletown.

Suzio may get lucky in his 2018 challenger in the Democratic-leaning 13th Senate District. Former Democratic secretary of the state Susan Bysiewicz is said to have the race on her crowded buffet of choices for the next statewide election. Bysiewicz, you may recall, has run for governor, attorney general, and U.S. senator. She also eyed two state senate races, one that would have required her to move from Middletown to Bristol. Forces within her party squeezed her out of that one. Courts and primary voters dispatched her in some of the others.

In addition to the state senate race, Bysiewicz may also be eyeing a bid for state treasurer, if, as expected, incumbent Democrat Denise Nappier bows out of that office after five terms. The comptroller’s race could open if incumbent Kevin Lembo runs for governor. Bysiewicz would likely skip a run for her old job as secretary of state if Denise Merrill does not seek a third term. There’s always a third bid for governor.

Larry Rifkin, will be taking his great big brain into more relaxing pursuits than what daily talk radio requires. The WATR veteran has been at his Waterbury post for seven years, more than he planned when he joined the station after a storied career in Connecticut public broadcasting.

This is not the last we will hear from the honey-voiced talker. He’ll be filling in and doing remotes for WATR. Larry will also begin dabbling in the expanding world of podcasting. He’ll also be volunteering at CRIS radio.

Whatever he does, Larry will continue to be a reasonable and interesting voice in a world that often feels like it has lost its way.

Keep up with him at rifkinradio.com.

Deputy Secretary of the State James Spallone will serve as counsel to incoming House speaker Joseph Aresimowicz. Spallone, who was a state representative for five terms before becoming Denise Merrill’s deputy in 2011, will face the challenges of assisting Aresimowicz as he seeks to hold together a narrow Democratic majority as it faces the growing storm of more budget deficits and the 2018 elections, which nervous House Democrats are already dreading.

Spallone’s appointment starts to add some clarity to the extended confusion that has accompanied the shift from incumbent Speaker Brendan Sharkey.

Senate Republicans and Democrats have reached a deal in the organization of the upper chamber. Details to follow in a joint announcement this afternoon.

Senate co-chairs, any senator can split their committee without a vote, there will be some new titles reflecting the even split, and moving business will require some kind of bipartisan agreement.

Look for some changes on how union contracts are addressed.

While you listen to Ella, read the story of Dutch hero Marion Pritchard, who died this month at 96.

Diana Norton, as many of us first knew her, possessed all the virtues that make politics honorable and fun. She possessed a formidable intellect and a sense of proportion that can go missing in politics. Every conversation with Diana ended with you knowing more than when it began.

She loved politics but knew it was only the vessel for wider service.

CT Mirror reports that Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano and House Minority Leader Themis Klarides have interviewed a member of the Senate Republican caucus for the vacancy in the state auditor’s position that will go to a Republican. Since the Senate will be tied at an historic 18-18 when the new legislature convenes on January 4th, a member’s abandonment of his commitment to serve in the legislature may be seen by colleagues as betrayal of them and the people of Connecticut.

Look for some icy stares in the Republican caucus room if the member seeking personal advantage over service pursues his interest.

Peter Lumaj, the 2014 Republican candidate for secretary of the state, continues his exploration of high office for 2018 with a late in the quarter fundraiser. Lumaj supporters will be gathering at the home of former state legislator Dennis Cleary’s Wolcott home on December 20th.

Lumaj is a Fairfield lawyer who made a brief and unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 2012.

Sources tell Daily Ructions that Lumaj has been busy making the rounds and raising small contributions for his 2018 campaign. Keep an eye on the 4th quarter numbers he posts. Early money is the easiest to raise as you put the touch on family and friends. A slow start can doom a promising bid.

The Steering Committee of Lumaj Explore
Cordially Invites You To Attend A Holiday Fundraiser In Support of
PETER LUMAJ
Exploratory Candidate for Statewide Office

At The Home of Dennis and Eileen Cleary
Thursday, December 29th, 2016
108 Mad River Road
Wolcott, Connecticut
6pm – 8pm

Hors d’eouvres and Cocktails Will Be Served
Please Make Checks Payable to “Lumaj Explore”
Suggested Donation – $100.00
Maximum Donation – $375.00
Donations Can Be Made In Advance at peterlumaj.com

Please RSVP TO Brock L. Weber
brock@peterlumaj.com or 860.878.4350

Paid for by Lumaj Explore, Jeffrey Caggiano, Treasurer. Approved by Peter Lumaj.

The venerable British radio program Desert Island Discs always saves a big dog guest for its Christmas show. This year its Bruce Springsteen talking about the eight pieces of music that he’d take with him to a desert island. There are plenty of Springsteen fans among DailyRuction readers who will enjoy this extended program. You can hear an extended version of host Kirsty Young’s interview here.

Don’t be surprised if after listening you find yourself poling around the Desert Island Discs remarkable archive.

State Representative Prasad Srinivasan has formed a candidate committee for governor, according to records filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission. The Glastonbury Republican will begin raising money from his extensive network of supporters. He was re-elected to his fourth term in the House last month and began taking soundings for the 2018 statewide race not long after.

Srinivasan is the first Indian-American elected to the Connecticut legislature. You can learn more about him here.