First Up: Dargan to Get Pension Sweetener. Will Not Take Oath of Office Wednesday.

Why do they run when they do not want to serve? Veteran Democratic state Representative Stephen Dargan told his West Haven constituents last year that he very much wanted a 14th term in the House of Representatives, Daily Ructions has learned. It appears that was not true. Dargan is expected to decline to take his oath of office on Wednesday in order to snag  a position on the state Board of Pardons and Paroles with an appointment from Governor Dannel P. Malloy. Several years of service will give Dargan an enormous bump in his pension–the sort of expense that is helping to fuel Connecticut’s continuing financial crisis.

Dargan sought and received $28,150.00 in public funds for his 2016 campaign for a job he won but will not take. A special election will likely cost taxpayers tens of thousands in additional campaign expenses.