HARTFORD (AP) — Many Connecticut voters won’t find much of a choice at the polls this year when it comes to candidates for state legislature. In about a third of all races - 33 percent - for the state Senate and House of Representatives, mostly incumbent legislators are not being challenged by a major party candidate.

Via WFSB TV Website
From AP

HARTFORD (AP) — Many Connecticut voters won’t find much of a choice at the polls this year when it comes to candidates for state legislature. In about a third of all races - 33 percent - for the state Senate and House of Representatives, mostly incumbent legislators are not being challenged by a major party candidate.

That’s an increase from two years ago, when about 25 percent of the state’s legislative races lacked a major party challenger. Four years ago, about 33 percent of races were unopposed.

“It’s hard to tell what the reason is,” said Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, a Democrat. “Each area has its own story. It’s disappointing because you like to see competitive races.”

The re-election rate for incumbent lawmakers in Connecticut typically runs about 95 percent, according to state statistics. That figure is buoyed by the large number of uncontested races.

According to Byswiewicz’s office, there are four Senate races this year with a single candidate on the ballot. In eight other races, a major party candidate is opposed only by a candidate from a minor party.

There are 36 Senate seats in total. In the House, where there are 151 seats, 32 candidates are unopposed from either major or minor parties. There are 27 races where the candidate faces only a minor party challenge.

Democrats control both chambers of the legislature. They are expected to retain control after this year’s election. Christopher Barnes, the associate director of the University of Connecticut’s Center for Survey Research, said this year’s large number of uncontested races reflects the “static” political system that has developed in Connecticut.

The political parties often cherry-pick the particular districts they believe they have the best shot in winning. Meanwhile, the candidates often use tried and true strategies - Republicans run as mavericks, willing to buck the GOP, while Democrats establish a popular base and position themselves to make sure they don’t face significant competition, Barnes said.

“Connecticut has developed into a series of static political structures and formulas to get elected,” said Barnes, adding how such a scenario has depressed interest in the races - both among voters and possible candidates.

Bysiewicz said one bright spot to this year’s legislative races is the fact there are so many third party candidates. The two-year-old Connecticut Working Families Party leads the pack. It has candidates running in nearly 75 districts, said director Jon Green. That includes about 16 cross-endorsements of major party candidates. The rest are candidates cultivated by the party.

“It’s mainly new people,” Bysiewicz said. “I think it’s always good when new people become part of the process. They add to the debate. They bring their own supporters to the election.”

Green acknowledges that some Working Families candidates are more committed to their races than others. In many races, the candidates have said they want to win 1 percent of the vote so the party has the ability, under state election law, to cross-endorse future Democratic and Republican candidates who support the WFP’s agenda.

“The goal of the party is to hold politicians more accountable on the issues affecting working families,” said Green. The party supports policies such as livable wages for workers, affordable health care, tax reform and an end to outsourcing jobs.

The party was formed in 1998 in New York by a coalition of unions, community groups and activists. WFP came to Connecticut in 2002. Leaders include union officials and community organizers.

Most of the candidates this year, Green said, will probably spend no money in their campaigns. He credits the high cost of campaigns and a need for campaign finance reform as a reason why more major party candidates are not running this year.

“We’re glad we’re there to at least provide some choice,” he said. “People can at least signal support for issues when they go to vote, and not be left with no choice,” Green said, “which is not a healthy thing for democracy.”

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)