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Eighteen candidates from across the state seeking to be Connecticut’s next governor have agreed to meet on April 21 for the Gubernatorial Forum presented by the League of Women Voters.
The event, to be held at Westport Town Hall from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., is one of the many attractions of the Maker Faire throughout the day.
At least 14 of the 29 announced candidates, as listed below, are from Fairfield County. Most of them have been invited to Saturday's forum.
Here's a sampling of those we know are seeking the job as Connecticut's next governor -- so far:
Democratic field:
Former Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Sean Connolly of Hebron
Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim
Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont It's Lamont's second bid for governor. He rose to national prominence when he defeated then-Sen. Joseph Lieberman in a 2006 Democratic primary
Jonathan Harris, a former state senator and consumer protection commissioner from West Hartford.
Guy Smith of Greenwich who worked as senior executive with two global corporations, most recently Norwalk-based Diageo.
Susan Bysiewicz of Middletown, former Secretary of State.
Mark Stewart Greenstein of West Hartford attracted national headlines when he offered to rent rooms out at the Governor's Mansion starting in January 2019
Lee Whitnum of Greenwich also known as Lisa Baker, was arrested after storming up on stage because she was not invited to this debate, as reported by Daily Voice.
Jacey Wyatt, a transgender candidate from Branford.
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin withdrew from the race earlier this week. The Port Chester native grew up in Greenwich.
Republican field:
Toni Boucher, a state senator, represents Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.
Mark Boughton, mayor of Danbury.
Michael Handler of New Canaan is Stamford’s chief financial officer, a post he has held since 2012, serving under a Republican and now a Democratic mayor.
Tim Herbst, former Trumbull first selectman.
Mark A. Lauretti, mayor of Shelton
Peter Lumaj of Fairfield. In 2014, Lumaj was the Republican nominee for Secretary of the State, but lost one of the closest races for statewide office in recent history in Connecticut.
Eric Mastroianni Sr. from New Haven.
Scott Merrell of Norwalk also has been in the news headlines for his arrest during an eviction from his Wilson Point home.
Steve Obsitnik of Westport is a Navy submarine veteran an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Sacred Heart University.
Dr. Prasad Srinivasan is a longtime resident of Glastonbury.
Bob Stefanowski, a businessman from Madison
David Stemerman, a Greenwich businessman and former hedge fund manager. Read more about his candidacy here.
Erin Stewart, mayor of New Britain.
Peter Thalheim, a Greenwich builder and real estate agent.
David M. Walker, a former U.S. Comptroller General.
Thomas Ford is an independent
Among the unaffiliated candidates are Oz Greibel, Marisa Manley, and Afghan war veteran Micah Welintukonis of Coventry
To learn more about the Maker Faire, click on www.makerfaire/westport
Additional Daily Voice coverage of Saturday's upcoming forum can be found by clicking here.
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