Campaign For GOP Chairman Comes To The Capitol
by Christine Stuart | May 19, 2011 5:54pm
(5) Comments | Commenting has expired
Posted to: Election 2011, State Capitol
(Updated 8:21 p.m.) A former state senator, who was one of the last of then Gov. John G. Rowland’s supporters in 2004, was buzzing around the Capitol Thursday exploring a candidacy for Republican Party Chairman.
Bill Aniskovich of Branford, who lost his seat in 2004 to Sen. Ed Meyer, said he’s not officially a candidate to lead the Republican Party, but is interested in the job.
“I’m looking to get back into politics,” said Aniskovich.
The position of party chairman wouldn’t require Aniskovich to leave his job as CEO of the Stonington Institute, which is why it’s something he’s considering.
However, he said Republican Party Chairman Chris Healy has a lot of support, and if he planned to run for reelection Aniskovich would step aside.
Healy said Thursday evening that he was still gauging support and talking to the newly elected 23 members of the state committee. He said he will make an announcement about his intentions shortly.
“If the reports are correct this afternoon that Chris Healy is running for another term as GOP Chair, count everyone at the CT Democratic Party as his first pledged supporters,” Democratic Party Chairman Nancy DiNardo said in a press release. “We pray every day that Chris Healy will continue as the chief spokesman and strategist for the CT GOP. With his track record of losing elections and saying bizarre things, who could be better for us? Where do we sign up to volunteer?”
DiNardo was up at the Capitol Thursday and spotted Aniskovich making the rounds.
“It’s amusing how their only alternative is William Aniskovich, a steadfast supporter of corrupt Governor Rowland. For once, Rush Limbaugh is right—the CT GOP is truly pathetic,” DiNardo said referring to comments the conservative radio host made about Connecticut Republicans being the most depressed bunch of Republicans in the country.
Aniskovich laughed after reading the email and replied, “I’m not even a declared candidate.”
Healy and Aniskovich aren’t the only two interested in the seat. There are several candidates lining up for the June election.
The list includes Doug Hageman of Southington, Norwalk Republican Town Committee Chairman Art Scialabba, Greenwich Republican Town Committee Chairman Jim Campbell, and possibly former state Sen. Sam Caligiuri of Waterbury, and former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons.
Healy, whose wife Suzan Bibisi worked for former U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon in 2010, has been widely criticized for the party’s decision to endorse the former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO.
McMahon squeezed out Simmons to shore up the party’s nomination for the Senate seat and many Republicans, including Simmons himself, believe backroom deals were made to make sure McMahon received the nomination and Healy’s wife kept her job.
Healy denied any such deal was cut on behalf of McMahon, but some Republicans like to point out every candidate Healy favored to run under the party’s banner ran and lost. And despite his zeal and snappy press releases, many feel those losses mean there’s a need for new party leadership which explains the large number of candidates.
Healy called those notions “absurd.”
“McMahon was nominated by a convention and won in a primary,” Healy said. “I had nothing to do with the endorsement.”
As for his record, Healy said there are 25 more Republicans in local office than there were four years ago before Healy took over the party. Republicans also made big gains in the state House and gained two seats in the state Senate last year. Healy said his party was also instrumental in making sure former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd retire and made sure former Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz wasn’t able to run in 2010. He said he’s played a big role in making sure some prominent Democrats no longer hold elected office.
(5) Comments
posted by: Bill M. | May 19, 2011 10:18pm
For the good of the Connecticut Democratic Party, I hope Healy is not reelected. I also hope that Aniskovich is not his replacement. They should go with the stiff supported by Foley. Remember when the Democrats had Marcus and Republicans had DePino? That’s matchup would be fair. Dems have the likeable Italian; give the Republicans the slimy lawyer.
posted by: DrHunterSThompson | May 20, 2011 9:14am
As an independent I want 2 things out of each of the parties: 1) decent candidates so we have a choice, and 2) a few good laughs.
As to number 1, Healy failed of course, in a big way. Can you even remember who ran for comptroller or treasurer for example? Or more importantly, who challenged Williams and Donovan? As to number 2, Healy has been aces! The stuff that comes out of his mouth sometimes is just too funny, he should take his act on tour. DiNardi is a drag, although her comments above were not bad.
Republicans need an enema at the top.
HST
posted by: ... | May 20, 2011 10:24am
I pretty much agree with you Dr.HST.
Whenever I hear Healy’s name I think of the picture of him wearing those large sun glasses and his thumbs sticking out like he is a ‘wild and crazy guy’. I have to laugh at that before I can even listen to what he is saying.
But with all seriousness I want a GOP leader in this state to have the ability to project both brains and wit/rhetoric. I don’t agree with everything the GOP does, but this should be a fairer fight since they already have an uphill battle in a state like CT.
posted by: Reagan Republican | May 20, 2011 11:24am
Interesting that Dinardo attacks Aniskovich personally without him even entering the race yet. That tells me the Dems are worried about his leadership abilities. From all indications Healy is in major trouble and the party is looking for someone new. Aniskovich certainly has the pedigree to turn the Grand Old Party around. If there was ever a state that needed some Republican victories. Healy needs to resign or get tossed before the party can ever hope to win again.
