Bob for Governor is not best pleased with the public airing of his political contributions and empty voting record. Recent Democrat-turned-Republican Bob Stefanowski is struggling to hit back at a David Stemerman campaign ad attacking him. The former payday lender/loan shark executive wants voters to know that Stemerman also contributed to a Democrat. The Greenwich Republican made a contribution to Barack Obama in the 2008 campaign–and also to Republican nominee John McCain.

The 2008 cycle was when Stefanowski, brace yourself, gave a generous contribution to Democrat Christopher Dodd’s presidential campaign. Good luck explaining that one. Stefanowski wanted Christopher Dodd to be the president of the United States.

Here’s the Stefanowski’s statement:

Branford, CT – At last week’s debate, the gubernatorial candidates were asked about their voting records.  I stood up and took the issue head on stating, I was a Democrat for eight months, but a Republican for 25 years. Ronald Reagan, Larry Kudlow and President Trump are all pretty good former Democrats as well!  I lived overseas for years and traveled extensively, I should have filed an absentee ballot. I wish it were different.  But leadership is about taking responsibility for your actions and moving forward.

Ironically, David Stemerman, who in fact was a registered Democrat for seven years (1996 to 2003) and gave thousands of dollars to Barack Obama stood silently at his podium at last week’s debate.  Why did Mr. Stemerman dodge the question when it was obviously directed at him as well? To make matters worse, Mr. Stemerman released an attack ad on television this morning where his own record is profoundly worse!

The next CEO of Connecticut needs to be direct, candid, tough, and have integrity.  Voters want a candidate who will eliminate our state income tax and put Connecticut back to work – not someone like David Stemerman who dodges tough questions and doesn’t have the guts to get rid of the state income tax.  I have been turning around billion dollar companies for years with leadership, integrity and accountability.  I can do just that as your next governor.

The facts are pretty simple:

David Stemerman was a registered Democrat from 1996 – 2003 in New York City, 7 years as opposed to Stefanowski’s 8 months

David Stemerman gave thousands of dollars to Barack Obama

Stefanowski who resides with his wife and three daughters in Madison, CT was formerly a senior executive with General Electric and the Chief Financial Officer of UBS Investment Bank. He has introduced a five step economic plan to save Connecticut that has been endorsed by Dr. Arthur Laffer, senior economic advisor to President’s Trump and Reagan.

Note that Stefanowski does not mention his most recent job, heading a big player in the disreputable payday lending business.

That was close. Republican gubernatorial hopeful Steve Obsitnik was approved for $1.3 million in public funds for his campaign on Wednesday. The Westport businessman had struggled to get his application for the money right since a strong third place showing at the Republican nominating convention in May. The State Elections Enforcement Commission declined to approve Obsitnik’s application week after painful week.

The money will be much easier to spend than it was to get. The primary is August 14th.

It helps to have money. Self-funding Republican David Stemerman begins to dismantle gubernatorial rival Bob Stefanowski today. Stemerman takes to the airwaves Wednesday morning with an ad highlighting Stefanowski’s recent history as a registered Democrat. The ad notes that Stefanowski, who declined to participate in elections for 16 years, did not vote for a host of Republicans, including Mitt Romney, John McCain and Donald Trump (who has also been a generous  donor to Democrats, including to Hillary Clinton).

The 30 second ad also slips in a reference to Stefanowski’s campaign contributions to Democrats. Primary voters will see the ad on cable and broadcast television in Connecticut and New York markets. Stefanowski’s latest campaign finance report suggests he will struggle to mount a defense that comes close to matching the comprehensive attack.

Republicans select their candidate for governor on August 14th.

Joe Ganim does enjoy mocking Democratic rival Ned Lamont’s vast wealth and the accoutrements that accompany it. Where once it was bathrooms, now it’s Tesla. The Bridgeport mayor wondered if Lamont is driving a Tesla in his recent campaign ad. “I’m for electric cars. I’m not  Tesla fan…I have a little struggle with the Tesla, if you don’t mind,” according to a Courant report.

Is he sure? That’s not what he testified to at a 2017 legislative hearing. Ganim made the case then that Bridgeport out to be the home of a Tesla regional distribution center. Ganim went on at some length in his testimony to share details of his meeting with Tesla executives. He deleted any elements of “a little struggle” with the electric car manufacturer. You can read it here. 

Moving beyond the political arena, the popularity of Tesla vehicles has led to a burgeoning market for Tesla accessories. Owners of models like the Tesla Model Y often seek to personalize and enhance their vehicles with a range of accessories tailored to their specific needs and preferences. From sleek interior upgrades to practical exterior additions, the world of tesla model y accessories offers a plethora of options for enthusiasts looking to make their electric ride truly their own. Whether it’s premium floor mats, custom storage solutions, or advanced charging accessories, Tesla owners have access to a diverse ecosystem of products designed to complement and elevate their driving experience.

Sometimes it seems candidates will say things they don’t believe in order to try to land the weakest of blows. Often they miss and do more damage to themselves–and look silly for their effort.

State Auditor Rob Kane appears not to understand his job. The deadbeat dad and Republican auditor used his state email account to send a message Monday morning to all legislators and staff members offering to sell Foo Fighter concert tickets this Saturday in Boston for $100 each. You read that right.

Kane was re-elected to his seat in the state senate in 2016 but declined to take office as part of a sordid deal to get the auditors job in early 2017.

Kane’s misuse of public resources to sell concert tickets will attract the attention of state ethics.

Waterbury native and Daily Ructions friend Tom Santopietro will be at the Mark Twain House Thursday, July 19th at 6 p.m. to discuss his new book, “Why To Kill a Mockingbird Matters”. Here are details of the event, which includes a screening of the film starring Gregory Peck. People in and around politics always like a good chin wag about Harper Lee’s classic novel. If you attend Thursday’s event, Tom may entertain you with a bonus round of stories from his years managing Broadway shows.

Tom has also written The Sound of Music Story, Barbara Cook: Then and Now, The Godfather Effect, The Importance of Being Barbra, Considering Doris Day (A New York Times Editor’s Choice) and Sinatra in Hollywood. He also co-write Barbara Cook: Then and Now with the late icon.

Here’s one of the two cases Democratic attorney general hopeful William Tong cites as an example of his experience trying cases. Note the court record calls it a hearing in damages–judgment without trial. Tong, a Stamford Democrat may want to make more than a gossamer attempt to answer an ordinary question about his experience.

The thin-skinned candidate labeled Glastonbury lawyer Ryan McKeen’s questions about Tong’s experience a “smear.” That’s the same word Tong ally Speaker of the House Joseph Aresimiwicz used to characterize this account of Tong’s reprehensible abandonment of Judge Jane Emons’ renomination this spring in the face of an anti-Semitic onslaught.

Updates as events require.

Litchfield County real estate developer Mark Greenberg dropped millions of his own money on his three unsuccessful campaigns for Congress in 2010, 2012, and 2014. He lost Republican primaries in 2010 and 2012. In 2014, Greenberg won the party nomination but was defeated by Democratic incumbent Elizabeth Esty.

Greenberg was going to run for Esty’s open seat this year and threatened to put another million into that campaign. Instead, he’s running for state comptroller, challenging party endorsed candidate Kurt Miller. Greenberg has no money advantage this time. As of June 30th, his campaign has $309.48 on hand and owes $20,000. Not a traditional path to victory.

What does William Tong do? The question is not going away. The Stamford Democrat will face more queries on whether he meets the “Bysiewicz test” for trial experience to serve as attorney general. Tong won the Democratic endorsement for attorney general at the May 19th party convention. He faces two opponents in the August 14th primary, state Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) and first time candidate Christopher Mattei.

Tong’s experience as a lawyer has been a burbling issue since the convention. The issue took on more significance when this WTNH story appeared Tuesday.

Even Tong seems unsure. When he made a campaign contribution to himself in June, Tong listed his occupation as “State Representative”. We take him at his word.

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart’s campaign for lieutenant governor is in trouble. The Republican raised a paltry $44,355.00 as of June 30th, according to her July 10th campaign finance report. Stewart needs to reach $75,000.00 in qualifying contributions in a hurry. The last day to submit an application is July 20th.

Stewart started the year launching an ill-advised bid for governor. She abandoned that campaign on the eve of the May Republican nominating convention to run for the second spot on the ticket. Since then, the third term mayor has been engaged in a long fade. Her campaign is said to be disorganized and hindered by bad advice from her inner circle.

Darien Republican Jayme Stevenson, another challenger for lieutenant governor looks like she will qualify for public financing. Her July 10th report reveals the local leader had raised $68,485 in qualifying contributions as of June 30th.

Endorsed Republican LG candidate state Senator Joseph Markley (R-Southington) qualified for taxpayer financing of his campaign in the spring. Markley abandoned his conservatism to partake in the state’s generous public financing scheme. Markley began weeks ago identifying primary supporters with automated calls.