Are you one of those people who wants to vote for Oz Griebel for governor but won't because you're afraid your vote might lead to a win for your least favorite candidate?
A long time ago, America's two-party system encouraged parties to choose candidates likely to appeal to a wide swath of Americans. A candidate too far out of the mainstream or one who failed to rise above party platform didn't make it.
That's no longer the case. In Connecticut, our primary system often rewards candidates with the most money, support from a small number of electors and party loyalists who must be affiliated with a party to vote in the primary. We don't allow Connecticut's majority of unaffilliated voters to participate in the primary.
Despite running against a strong headwind, a group of stalwart outside candidates plow forward to challenge those who they believe have no incentive to work for the people who elect them. Today, we talk to four of them.
GUESTS:
- Richard Lion - Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate in the 5th District. He’s running against Democratic incumbent Chris Murphy and Republican challenger Matthew Corey.
- Tom McCormick - Green Party candidate for U.S. Representative in the 1st District. He’s running against Democratic incumbent John Larson and Republican challenger Jennifer Nye.
- Giselle Jacobs - Petitioning candidate for State Representative in District 7 in Hartford. She’s running against Democratic incumbent Joshua Hall.
- Linda Louise LaCasse - Petitioning candidate for State Representative in District 52 in Somers and Stafford Springs. She’s running against Republican incumbent Kurt Vail and Democratic challenger David Walsh.
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Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.