New Haven—For over a year, Governor Rell has talked about wanting to reform the system—now she has the chance to be a part of making it happen. This bill gives us the chance to lead the nation with an aggressive model for clean elections and an opportunity to comprehensively change how we do politics in Connecticut. I congratulate the House and Senate leadership on crafting this landmark legislation and I urge Governor Rell to get behind it.

New Haven—Former Congressman Sam Gejdenson topped a list of Eastern Connecticut leaders who today announced their support of New Haven Mayor John DeStefano’s campaign for Governor, stating that his leadership was critical to the long-term health of the region.

“Eastern Connecticut’s future depends on visionary new statewide leadership that can address critical educational and economic growth issues. I know that John DeStefano is the right man for the job—right for Eastern Connecticut, right for all of Connecticut, right because he is the candidate with the record of bringing people together to get things done,” said Gejdenson. Gejdenson served the people and communities of Eastern Connecticut in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 to 2000.

New London--Today at 4:30 p.m. the Greater New London Building Trades and prominent area Democrats will host a fundraiser for gubernatorial candidate John DeStefano, who will address the crowd at approximately 5:00 p.m.

The Statewide Building Trades Council, the New London Building Trades Council and the Carpenters’ Union have all endorsed DeStefano’s candidacy, along with 20 other unions that represent 55,000 workers statewide.

New London State Representative Ernest Hewett, who has also endorsed DeStefano, will also attend tonight’s event. “John DeStefano is the candidate with a plan to improve the lives of Connecticut’s working families,” said Hewett. “That's why I'm excited to support John.” State Representative Jack Malone has also endorsed DeStefano.

DeStefano has raised $2.7 million to date.

The fundraiser will be held at the Laborer’s Union Hall of Local 547, located at 268 Thomas Road in Groton. Press is welcome.

"Once again Governor Rell has demonstrated that her practices and policies are identical to those of the Rowland Administration. Despite all her talk about wanting to reform the system she has just vetoed that most comprehensive clean contracting legislation ever to be proposed by the Connecticut General Assembly.

As governor I would have signed the bill to establish clean contracting standards."

New Haven-Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. - a Democratic candidate for Governor - is announcing that he won re-election to a 7th Mayoral term with 76% of the vote - one of the highest margins of victory in his 12 years in public office.

DeStefano's landslide - which includes wins in all of New Haven's 30 Wards - proves that he has a strong and energized base.

"This sign of overwhelming support in New Haven is the first step in winning the Governor's race," said DeStefano.

DeStefano won all 30 of New Haven's wards and 76 percent of the vote, without absentee ballots counted. His two opponents each won 12 percent of vote.

New Haven—With an overwhelming re-election win, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano proved again that he is the strongest Democrat to face Governor Jodi Rell in 2006.

“With an overwhelming 76% re-election win, over a million dollars more than his nearest opponent and the only union endorsements in the race, John is clearly the strongest Democratic candidate to run against Jodi Rell. Voters overwhelmingly support John DeStefano’s vision and record in improving schools, reducing crime, and creating jobs. DeStefano has got New Haven moving in the right direction, and voters strongly support him,” said New Haven Democratic Town Chair Susan Voigt.

DeStefano Gains Fairfield County Stronghold

Danbury-Stating "John DeStefano has demonstrated the leadership to build a better Connecticut for our children" former Congressman Jim Maloney, former Danbury Mayor Gene Eriquez, Danbury Democratic Town Chair Bernie Gallo and a group of Danbury Democrats announced today at the Broadview Middle School in Danbury that they are endorsing New Haven Mayor John DeStefano for Governor, giving DeStefano a major stronghold in Fairfield County.

"With our support today, John DeStefano gains major support in Danbury and Fairfield County," Maloney said. "Over the past 12 years, Connecticut's schools have fallen behind, but under John DeStefano's leadership, New Haven's schools have dramatically improved. New Haven now has the largest preschool program in Connecticut, test scores are up, and the dropout rate has dropped by over 40%. John has fashioned effective and innovative solutions. He has a plan to do the same for the state of Connecticut. We need his leadership and we are proud to support him."

Danbury—Tomorrow, just days before the municipal race in Danbury, leading Democrats will join former Congressman James Maloney in endorsing New Haven Mayor John DeStefano’s campaign for Governor. The Democrats will announce that they launch a grassroots campaign for DeStefano in Danbury this month.

WHO: Mayor John DeStefano, Jr., former Congressman James Maloney, former Danbury Mayor Gene Eriquez, Democratic Town Chair Bernie Gallo and Leading Democrats

WHAT: Endorsement and Launch of Danbury Grassroots Campaign

WHERE: Broadview Middle School 72 Hospital Avenue, Danbury

WHEN: Wednesday, November 2 at 1:00 p.m.

New Haven—In another sign of growing support for New Haven Mayor John DeStefano’s candidacy for governor from working men and women of organized labor, today the Communication Workers of America, Local 1298, representing over 7,000 workers throughout Connecticut announced their support for DeStefano. Local 1298 represents workers from SBC SNET, Cingular Wireless, SBC Telecom, SBCDO, Woodbury Telephone, and CSC.

“We believe your candidacy best represents the labor movement and the welfare of those whom we represent and their families, “said Paul J. Hongo, Jr., CWA President.

“With today’s endorsement from the Communication Workers, John DeStefano has been endorsed by 20 unions representing almost 50,000 workers and remains the only candidate for governor to be endorsed by working men and women of organized labor, ” said Shonu Gandhi, DeStefano Campaign Director.

New Haven-With a theme of "We Can Do Better" and a focus on creating jobs and economic opportunity, while improving the lives of Connecticut families, the DeStefano for Governor campaign announced today it was launching the first ad of the gubernatorial campaign.

The ad was sent to Connecticut stations Friday night within hours of Jodi Rell announcing her candidacy for governor.

"We created this ad to send an important signal that we are going to run an aggressive, substantive positive campaign to build a better Connecticut for hardworking families. There is no reason why Connecticut should be last in job growth, why property taxes and college tuition should be skyrocketing, and why we must endure endless traffic gridlock that hurts families and costs us jobs. We can do better," said DeStefano.