By Daniela Altimari
Newington Mayor Jeff Wright handily won the Republican nomination for state treasurer today, turning back a challenge from Andrew White of Ridgefield.
Wright had initially pondered a gubernatorial bid, but the 38-year-old father of three switched to the treasurer's race. He will face Democratic incumbent Denise Nappier.
The state treasurer oversees the state employee pension fund and a state-run college savings plan, among other responsibilities. Wright said both of those funds are lagging behind those of other states.
"The treasurer must be the state's cash cow,'' Wright said during his brief acceptance speech at the Connecticut Convention Center. "We must protect and secure the state's finances."
(In photo, Newington Mayor Jeff Wright gives his wife Marina a kiss after he won the GOP endorsement for State Treasure Saturday afternoon during the Republican Convention. John Woike/Hartford Courant)