Republican Party-endorsed candidate for Attorney General Martha Dean received endorsements today from three of Connecticut’s key legislative leaders. Those endorsements add to the many endorsements she has received from individuals and groups throughout the State, representing a wide cross-section of citizens.
State Representative Arthur O’Neill (R-69), who sought the Republican endorsement for Attorney General at this year’s nominating convention, said, “I am honored to support Martha Dean for Attorney General. As a state representative and practicing lawyer for many years, I know the importance of integrity in our public offices. Martha has a record of integrity in serving her clients in an ethical manner, with the utmost regard for her position of trust as an attorney.”
O’Neill added, “Martha not only has the skills required to provide excellent legal advice and representation to Connecticut and its citizens, but she also understands the high level of integrity owed to both the state’s agencies and the citizens of Connecticut -- integrity that is required to serve as Connecticut's Attorney General.”
O’Neill has served the citizens of the 69th Assembly District for 22 years, representing the towns of Southbury, Bridgewater, Roxbury, and Washington since his election to the state House of Representatives in 1988. O'Neill is an Assistant House Republican Leader, as well as the House Ranking Member on the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee. He serves on the Appropriations and Regulations Review committees, and was recently selected by his peers as the most ethical member of the Republican Caucus of the House of Representatives.
Representative Selim Noujaim (R-74) said, “I am proud to support Martha Dean to be the next Attorney General of the State of Connecticut. Like me, Martha, is a small business owner. I know that she understands the import role that small businesses play in the overall economic health of the State. I also know that she will enforce the law and provide advice to the State in a way that is mindful of the impact that an over-reaching state government has on small businesses.”
Representative Noujaim is focused on economic development and job creation in the Greater Waterbury area. He is a highly effective advocate for the people of Waterbury in the Connecticut General Assembly. A respected local businessman, he was first elected to the State House of Representatives in a special election in February 2002, and now serves as the General Assembly's Assistant Republican Leader.
Senator Kevin Witkos (R-8) also announced his support for Dean, adding, “I wholeheartedly endorse Martha Dean to be our next Attorney General. Over the past several years as State Representative and State Senator representing Avon and surrounding towns, I have gotten to know Martha. Martha is a tough, aggressive lawyer who will enforce the law and protect Connecticut and its citizens.”
Senator Witkos is serving his first term in the State Senate, after serving four years as a state representative. He represents the 8th District communities of Avon, Simsbury, Canton, New Hartford, Barkhamsted, Hartland, Colebrook, Norfolk, Granby, Torrington, and Harwinton. Senator Witkos proudly serves as a sergeant in the Canton Police Department.
Timothy R. Keeney, former Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, reiterated his endorsement of Martha Dean, saying, “At the Republican State Convention, I was proud to second Martha Dean's nomination for Attorney General on the floor. It is with great pleasure that I provide my continued support for Martha.”
Keeney added, “Martha has impressed me with her ability to assist businesses in finding a way to comply with the tangled web of environmental legal requirements while thriving in Connecticut. Martha's experience in private practice makes her a perfect choice to enforce the law and provide advice to the State in a way that allows citizens and businesses to flourish.”
Keeney is a Graduate of the Wharton School of Business and the University of Connecticut School of Law. Over his 34-year legal career, Mr. Keeney has served as Professional Staff to the United States Senate, General Counsel to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA), Environmental Commissioner for Connecticut and Rhode Island, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. Mr. Keeny is currently candidate for Probate Judge in the 11th District consisting of Enfield, Somers, Stafford and Union.
Former Connecticut Secretary of the State Pauline R. Kezer has also reaffirmed her support for Martha Dean. Kezer said, “Being a top Attorney General takes much more than simply being a good lawyer. Martha is unique in that in addition to intelligence, excellent legal skills, and 22 years of active legal experience, she has the courage and vision of a great leader. She will not be a party to frivolous lawsuits and she will be an outstanding Attorney General.”
All these endorsements are in addition to the Republican Party endorsement Dean received at the state nominating convention. Karen Lee Torre, a prominent Constitutional attorney, endorsed Martha early in the campaign. Several organizations, including the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, Inc., the Fairfield County Tea Parties, Right Principles, the Family Institute of Connecticut Action Committee, the Trumbull Chapter of the Ladies for Liberty and the Libertarian Party of Connecticut have all publicly endorsed Dean.
Dean has also been endorsed by the Republican Town Committees of Bethel, Meriden, and Southbury. She has also received the endorsements of Republican Town Committee Chairmen from around the state, including Rebecca Stearns of Columbia, John Underwood of Brooklyn, Craig Nelson of Warren, Tom Banisch of Madison, Candace Jones-Pacholski of Harwinton, David Helming of Sharon, Dwight Blint of New Britain, Thomas Barnes of Bristol, Daniel Brunet of Meriden and James Fitzgerald of New Hartford.
