Slifka reflects on being chosen as DeStefano's running mate

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Slifka reflects on being chosen as DeStefano's running mate

The West Hartford News June 02, 2006

Ken Harrison

West Hartford - Mayor Scott Slifka is hoping to further his already successful political career in the upcoming November elections after being named as New Haven Mayor John DeStefano's running mate in his pursuit of the Governor's office. Slifka, who has been the Mayor of West Hartford since he replaced State Sen. Jonathan Harris in 2003, said that DeStefano's request to have him join his ticket as the candidate for Lieutenant Governor came as a complete, but welcome surprise. The two mayor's have a history of working together after making a friendly wager last year to see which city, West Hartford or New Haven, could get more residents to switch to clean energy as part of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund's 20 percent by 2010 campaign. Slifka, who lost the bet, donned T-shirt with the words "I Love New Haven" which he wore for the day.

"It is a great honor for me to be asked to join Mayor DeStefano on his campaign to become the next governor in Connecticut," Slifka said. "The announcement came very suddenly and was a complete surprise to me. Since I was asked it has been a whirlwind experience and something that I will never forget."

Despite coming up short at the recent Democratic State Convention, which was held at the Connecticut Expo Center in Hartford on May 20, to Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy by a total of four votes Slifka said that he and DeStefano remain confident that they will still be able to win the upcoming election. Malloy won his party's nomination to be the Democratic candidate to face off against current Governor and Republican M. Jodi Rell in November by a count of 799 to 795. Slifka and his running mate are hoping for a reversal of fortunes after the primaries being held on August 8 and have already begun working feverishly to win their party's official nomination.

"We are very positive about this campaign and believe that the primaries in August will be the key," Slifka said. "The next few weeks will be a sprint and we expect to be very active in the field as we continue to try and raise support. We feel confident moving into the primary and also feel somewhat relieved that we can now bring our campaign to the people of Connecticut."

Their work continued last week when DeStefano and Slifka announced the opening of their campaign headquarters in Hartford at 901 Main Street.

"The opening of our headquarters in downtown Hartford is a tangible sign that we are still going strong," Slifka said. "Our campaign enjoys incredible support in Hartford and in the coming weeks we will build an even bigger and stronger coalition determined to win in August and November."

As he continues on his quest to become the state's next Lieutenant Governor, Slifka said that he will remain dedicated to serving the West Hartford community as its Mayor. He said that he does not expect his campaign schedule to interfere with his duties as the town's leader, especially as the town government moves into the usually slow and inactive time during the summer months.

"I do not expect to run into any conflicts with the town and will remain as the Mayor throughout the remainder of the campaign," Slifka said. "This is a good time of year for these kinds of endeavors. We have already completed our work on the annual budget and will not have any referendums. The Town Council is also only scheduled to have two meetings in July and August so I feel very good about where things stand with the town."