Rodgers Vs Lyddy?—

Rep Julia Wasserman Retirement News Prompts Candidate Announcements

By John Voket

Within hours of Republican legislator Julia Wasserman publicly revealing retirement plans, news of two local Legislative Council members preparing campaigns to fill her seat began circulating. By Wednesday morning both Republican council Chairman Will Rodgers and freshman Democrat Christopher Lyddy confirmed they want to represent the 106th District come November.

Saying she would not have traded the past 18 years for anything, but acknowledging that her commitment to serve Newtown and the state has caused her to put personal issues on the back burner, Rep Wasserman announced Monday to supporters at a Republican Town Committee (RTC) meeting that she will not seek another term in Hartford.

She confirmed the news in a brief interview with The Newtown Bee early Tuesday. In tandem with Mrs Wasserman’s announcement came word that the local council chairman would seek an interview with the RTC’s candidate committee in hopes of securing the endorsement to run for the soon-to-be-vacant seat.

Following the local lawmaker’s announcement, Mr Lyddy, who was rumored to have designs on the legislative seat, told The Bee he was also committing to the race.

Mrs Wasserman said she had known for some time that Mr Rodgers was interested in running for her position, once it became available. The council chairman said if he receives the RTC endorsement, he hopes to carry on Mrs Wasserman’s important work “behind the scenes” in Hartford, while further capitalizing on her ability to build consensus on important issues.

“Julia got things done, but ultimately Julia was about building good relationships. And that’s what I’d like to do if given the opportunity,” Mr Rodgers said, adding that ultimately, his job is to convince voters in town that he can do the best job for them at the Capitol.

“Newtown currently has a minority delegation in Hartford,” Mr Rodgers said referring to Mrs Wasserman, Senate President John McKinney, and Representative DebraLee Hovey, who represents part of Newtown in the 112th District. “But they always worked together for the benefit of their constituents in Newtown.”

Having recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq where he served in the Marine Corps, Mr Rodgers said if he was going to take the lead on any particular cause, he would lend his lifelong career in law and the military to helping returning Connecticut veterans, as well as those who have previously served.

Mr Rodgers said he wanted to add his voice and experience to the contingent of small town legislators to help achieve a bipartisan goal of influencing greater return of state dollars and services to local taxpayers.

“I’m hoping to appeal to all voters, especially unaffiliated voters,” he said.

Mr Lyddy also credited Mrs Wasserman, saying Newtown should be grateful for the time she dedicated to serving the community at the state level.

“Eighteen long years of service in that capacity is commendable,” Mr Lyddy said in a prepared statement.

 The young Democrat just became elected to the council last November, but indicated he was prepared to carry the torch as the first Democratic challenger for the 106th District seat in some time.

“There is no hiding that my heart is in Newtown,” Mr Lyddy said. “I hope to continue to my passion for serving others in the capacity of state representative. I am looking forward to continuing to give back to a community that has provided me, my family, and my friends with so much.”

In her comments to The Bee, Mrs Wasserman said the idea of turning her energies to other pursuits has been more frequently entertained in recent years, and one of the things that kept her in Hartford this term has been the opportunity to chair the state Program Review and Investigations Committee.

“I think it’s really the best committee in the entire legislature,” Mrs Wasserman said. “I love the commitment and challenge of that committee — we really do roll up our sleeves and get down to work on things.”

The popular legislator said she was not considering full retirement, but would simply readjust her focus to better serving several local and private boards and commissions she is involved with, including an advisory role with the Columbia University School of Public Health. She also alluded to one pet project she has yet to complete.

“I may go back to school and get my doctorate,” she said with a laugh.

Mrs Wasserman said locally, her greatest work has been done helping facilitate state conveyances of open space to the town for various uses, including conservation, and of course the role she played in securing the Fairfield Hills Hospital and campus for town use.

She also considers her work early in her tenure in establishing the state’s first Forest Practices Act among her most important achievements.

Republican First Selectman Joe Borst called Mrs Wasserman a “dear friend,” and said her dedication to the community would be sorely missed in Hartford.

“I’m very sorry to see her leaving, but I can certainly understand after 18 years,” Mr Borst said. “But Julia is a wonderful lady and I’m sure she will stay involved serving the community locally.”