By Paul Silverfarb
Sentinel Editor
New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart was looking for someone that shares her vision on the potential Connecticut has. And the gubernatorial candidate’s search took her to the most Southwest corner of the Nutmeg State.
On Tuesday morning in front of the State Capitol in Hartford, Stewart announced that she tabbed Town of Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei to join her team and run for Lieutenant Governor.
“I think we are very much aligned,” said Tesei during the press conference. “Certainly my last 10 years has been focused on administrative management of a town. So that has involved fiscal issues. Certainly I have been very successful in managing the town budget. In terms of social issues, I consider myself very moderate, and in line with what the Mayor’s positions are.”
Tesei, who is in his sixth term as First Selectman of Greenwich, is certainly no stranger to politics. At the age of 18, he was elected to Greenwich’s Representative Town Meeting and also served a decade on the Greenwich finance board.
“I am delighted to be a part of the team and I look forward to working with the Mayor as we go forward to try and secure the support from the convention and ideally the primary voters and ideally the citizens of the entire state of Connecticut,” said Tesei.
At the Hartford press conference, Stewart mentioned Tesei’s political experience and how that will help her campaign.
“Peter also comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience beyond that. He is going to be a true partner in this endeavor that we are signing up for to take on fixing our state,” Stewart said. “There are lots of problems that we have ahead of us and a lot of problems that we have to fix. We are well-aware of that. We know that it’s a long road ahead, but we are three weeks out of convention.”
Stewart is a relative newcomer to the race for Connecticut’s top political seat. On Jan. 29 she announced that she was exploring a run for governor and on March 19 she decided to drop the exploratory tag and become a gubernatorial candidate.
“We have had nothing short of momentum and growing momentum thus far,” Stewart said. “It’s been an incredibly humbling experience. We have been raising money at a faster clip than any of our opponents. We are half-way there, but you have to remember that we only have been in this for the latter part of three months.”
As of press time, Stewart has yet to raise the $250,000 needed to reach the public financing mark.
Stewart is hoping that Greenwich’s First Selectman will help pick up delegates, as the town has the largest number of delegates to the state nominating party convention, which will be held at Foxwoods in May.
“We’re in a game here to get delegates,” said Stewart. “Sure, you can’t deny that. But there is more to this here. I think what’s more important to me is to have somebody that’s a partner with me in this that I trust to lead with confidence, to lead with courage and somebody I see eye-to-eye with.”
In three weeks, Stewart will be standing on the floor at Foxwoods and looking for both delegates and for support. And with the addition of Tesei by her side, Stewart emphasized how it’s going to be a team approach to her campaign going forward.
“The Lieutenant Governor is a separate thing and often times you get married up with someone that you might not see eye-to-eye with or might not always be on the same page as,” Stewart said. “Peter and I are on the same page and I think that’s an important message to send moving forward. We are unified as a team.”
During Tuesday’s press conference, Tesei stated that joining up with Stewart gives him the chance to roll up his sleeves and help solve the problems that the Nutmeg State faces.
“The opportunity in talking to the Mayor when she announced her candidacy focused on electability,” Tesei said. “While we have a very talented field of people, I think ultimately it’s a mathematical equation in how you can put forth the best team that’s experienced and can win. And not just win the majority of the 22% of the voters that are registered as republicans but can win unaffiliated and democrats.”
“Clearly the Mayor has shown that through her momentous wins in the city of New Britain,” added Tesei. “I think that has to come into play as party elders and looking at wanting to bring forward a positive agenda for the state that plays to the best tomorrows and recognize that it involves making some difficult choices.”
While the opportunity of being a nominee for Lieutenant Governor is still a possibility, even if Stewart can’t secure enough delegates to be put on the ballot, Tesei was emphatic on stating that he is focused on working with Stewart and helping her become Governor of Connecticut.
“I think at this time, I am here with Mayor Stewart and aligned with Mayor Stewart and part of Team Stewart,” Tesei said. “I think that is going to present the best possible opportunity for any party running to govern the state. It’s a team. As I say in Greenwich, it’s a government of we, not me. That’s how I look at this. We are both coming forward and there’s going to be the need for us to bring in even more people to work towards that common interest.”
