In a key development in the governor's race, Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele and his running mate qualified for more than $2 million Thursday in the battle for the Republican primary on August 10.
Fedele will now have financial firepower to compete against former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley, a multi-millionaire from Greenwich who has poured more than $2 million into his campaign. The primary is less than five weeks ago, and Fedele has broadcast relatively few television commercials because he has had little funding until now.
Foley, by contrast, has run statewide ads both in his campaign for governor and in his previous race for the U.S. Senate. As such, Foley has the highest name recognition in the three-way Republican primary. He was leading Fedele by more than 25 points in the latest Quinnipiac University poll, and he has an even larger lead over longtime business executive Oz Griebel of Simsbury. Griebel is raising money privately and will not be accepting public funds under the state's Clean Elections Program.
Fedele took a jab at Foley's wealth and status as an ambassador who was appointed by then-President George W. Bush.
"The Clean Elections Program provides a level playing field and ensures that campaigns in Connecticut can be waged with grassroots support, not just with a personal checkbook or a few friends in high places,'' Fedele said in a statement.
Fedele joined forces with Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, who is running for lieutenant governor, to become the first statewide Republican candidates to qualify for public financing. They described the qualification as a "historic landmark.'' Foley's campaign has harshly criticized Fedele for seeking public funding - and many Republicans believe it is wrong to spend public dollars on political campaigns.
"Philosophically, we're unequivocally opposed to the use of taxpayer money to fund political campaigns, particularly amid a $3.5 billion budget deficit," said Ashley Maagero, Griebel's campaign manager. "Legally, we have significant concerns over the State Elections Enforcement Commission's interpretation of Statute 9-709 and corresponding advisory opinion. We are seeking further counsel on the issue."