Allan Appel Photo
An East Rock psychologist announced she’s running for state office as an outsider against a machine-backed insider — while avoiding the state’s clean elections program.
Debra Hauser (pictured above) disclosed that decision Thursday evening just before she formally announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for New Haven’s only open state legislative seat, in the 96th General Assembly District.
Hauser announced her candidacy while standing on the picturesque covered bridge behind the Eli Whitney Museum, surrounded by 50 well-wishers, many in sky-blue Hauser campaign T‑shirts.
The bridge straddles the Hamden-New Haven town line — as does the 96th District. Above the bridge is a sign pointing the route Hauser hopes to travel as she battles New Haven Alderman Roland Lemar for the party’s nomination: “32 Miles to Hartford.” Lemar and Hauser seek a seat being vacated by State Rep. Cam Staples, who has held it since 1995.
Lemar, who is supported by many party insiders, announced earlier this week that he plans to participate in the Citizens Election Program (CEP), the state’s new public financing system aimed to wean candidates from the influence of special interests and fatcat donors. It also aims to avoid giving wealthy individuals an advantage over other potential candidates. The program offers matching money to candidates in return for barring contributions from lobbyists and political action committees and limiting the size of other individual contributions.
Hauser said she’s bypassing the program because a court challenge currently leaves it in limbo. That would leave her campaign operating with too much uncertainty, she said.
“God bless all the people who are going for CEP,” she said. “But they don’t know if it’ll be there, “ Hauser said.
Hauser said she approves of the philosophy guiding the CEP and hopes it will level the playing field for candidates once the courts resolve the matter.
“My concern is it is hard for me to plan my budget,” she aid.
Similar debates are taking place among opponents for races throughout the state this year, including the governor’s race, as the role of money in politics has emerged as a central issue.
Click here for an article on legal as well as funding challenges to the CEP. And here for a recent Courant editorial on the matter.
Lemar countered Hauser’s argument in an email response Thursday night.
“Either you believe in clean elections or you don’t,” he wrote. “By bowing out, Ms. Hauser is missing an opportunity to stand up for an initiative that the people of the 96th District and the state overwhelmingly support. If Ms. Hauser wants to raise and expend excessive amounts of money to run against me, that’s her choice but she shouldn’t hide behind excuses.”
On Monday Lemar held an event at Café Romeo on Orange Street where he announced that his campaign had exceeded the 150 small-donor donations to qualify for the CEP, one of the first campaigns in the state to do so.
Machine Outsider?
Among Hauser’s well-wishers present at Thursday’s campaign announcement were West Hills Alderman Darnell Goldson (at center in photo), former East Rock Alderman Allan Brison, and New Haven Assistant City Clerk Sally Brown (at left).
Brison praised Hauser’s freshness as a candidate. “Debbie is less influenced by the New Haven political establishment,” Brison argued.
“Everybody in Hartford could benefit with a clinical psychologist in the house,” Hauser campaign manager Sabrina Bruno remarked, referring to the candidate’s day job.
In calling for people’s votes, Hauser decried inadequate leadership, high taxes, and an anti-business attitude at the state Capitol. “Even in hard times, we can do better,” she said.
“Make it clear state reps are not chosen by political machines and we want a government of, by, and for the people,” she said.
Hauser said she didn’t expect to get the party’s official nomination at the May 25 district convention at Wilbur Cross High School. “They stacked the New Haven delegates against me,” she said, adding, “it does hurt my feelings a little.” Click here for a story about the nominating process.
Campaign aide Eric Williams, who works for the Hartford-based consulting firm CampaignsWon, predicted Hauser would nevertheless gain at least three of the 16 delegates (ten from New Haven, six from Hamden) at the convention, thus qualifying for the ballot.
“We will be on the ballot, whatever it takes,” said Hauser.
How she was going to finance her campaign was still in formation. “I’m prepared to throw in some money if I need to,” she added.