Weston-Redding-Easton Election Guide

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Weston-Redding-Easton Patch is devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in town. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near. Bookmark this page for updates.

STATE LEGISLATURE

John Shaban (R-135th): A Redding resident, after first getting elected to represent Weston, Redding and Easton in 2010. Shaban opted to run for the seat when fellow Republican John Schipp, of Weston, decided not to run for reelection after nine terms. Shaban

Leon Karvelis (D-challenger for 135th): Karvelis, a Redding Democrat, is seeking to unseat Shaban in November. He's earned his party's nomination. Karvelis, who serves on the Region 9 Board of Education, feels that Shaban votes “.” Karvelis thinks it's time for a change in the 135th District, as voters have sent Republicans there for two decades. 

Dan Carter (R-2): Carter, a resident of Bethel, was elected to the 2nd General Assembly District in November 2010. Carter has a background in professional health care and has taken a position against unionizing day care workers and home health aides as one group,  His concern is that “the bill would allow the two groups to bargain collectively for their subsidized wages, but not for health insurance, pension, working conditions or any other benefit.”  Carter has offered his support for the sale of craft beer in pubs and other venues. Carter’s website details his early involvement with the ROTC program and stated that he served two terms in “war-torn Bosnia.”

 (R-26th): Seeking her third term as state senator, Boucher was first elected in 2008 to represent the 26th State Senate District, which includes Ridgefield, Wilton, New Canaan, Bethel, Westport and Weston. Prior to becoming a state senator, Boucher represented the 143rd District (Wilton and part of Norwalk) for six consecutive terms. Boucher, who lives in Wilton, hasbeen  of Connecticut's . She is also . Prior to Boucher's election, fellow Republican Judith Freedman represented the district for 22 years. 

Carolanne Curry (D-Westport): Curry, a Westporter, recently announced her candidacy to secure the Democratic nomination to challenge Boucher to represent the 26th State Senate District in Hartford. Currently serving as an alternate on the Westport Planning and Zoning Commission, Curry has a "history of support of women's rights, reproductive rights and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights," according to The Hour. If elected, Curry plans to secure a sound budget for the state, reinforce programs for senior citizens, create jobs and invest in education. 

John McKinney (R-25th): Senate Minority Leader John McKinney represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown and part of Weston. He was first elected to the State Senate in 1998 and became Minority Leader in 2007. McKinney defeated Democrat Mitchell Fuchs by a 68-32 percent margin in 2010. McKinney—who — for U.S. Senate. 

4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Jim Himes (D-incumbent): The congressman, who on Patch, is seeking his third term in the 4th district and has recently focused his efforts on job growth, expanding veterans' rights and strengthening domestic violence laws. He's represented the district since 2008. 

Steve Obsitnik (R): The Westport businessman, who , said when he that leadership in Washington is needed to "support entrepreneurship, excellence in education, fiscal responsibility and private sector job growth."

U.S. SENATE

Susan Bysiewicz (D): The former Secretary of State about the importance of small business in creating jobs in the state. "If we’re serious about job creation we need to send leaders to Washington who understand small business,” she said. “As the wife of a small business owner I know about that. Before my head hits the pillow every night I get an earful about small business.”

Chris Murphy (D): The congressman, , has been , but his response is that he's "proud" of his record and the way Congress has handled Wall Street reform.

Sylvester Salcedo (D): The Bridgeport lawyer is known for being one of the few Asian-Americans to run for U.S. Senate in the 2012 election — perhaps now the only one since — as well as driving to the Mexican border earlier this year to gain a some attention for his campaign.

Lee Whitnum (unaffiliated): The Greenwich resident spark some controversy when because Gov. Malloy and Rep. Chris Murphy are "lying to the people to pander to the ultra conservative branch of the Jewish community." She announced in June that she would

Linda McMahon (R): , the former WWE CEO is a clear frontrunner in the U.S. Senate race along with Rep. Murphy. She recently shared her .

Chris Shays (R): The former congressman, who lost his seat to Himes in 2008, recently turned to Republican political strategist Karl Rove for assistance with his campaign.

Kie Westby (R): , the Southbury attorney said that career politicians have had their chance to make changes. "It requires a fresh face, a fresh approach," he said. Although he hasn't officially suspended his campaign, Westby recently announced that he wouldn't submit the signatures required to be part of the Republican primary.