Fifth District Endorses Maloney

WATERBURY — Delegates at the Fifth District Democratic convention on July 22 unanimously endorsed incumbent US Rep James Maloney as their candidate for a third term in Congress. Rep Maloney had announced his intention to run at a press conference in Bethel a week before the convention.

He told the 260 delegates and dignitaries at the Hotel Elton in downtown Waterbury that his approach for being a good representative is straightforward: “I listen to the people of our district, go to work, and bring home real results.”

Derby Mayor Marc Garofalo delivered the nomination address and praised the congressman for his efforts to preserve Social Security and Medicare, and his fight for education standards and accountability.

Congressman Maloney’s speech focused on such issues as taxes, education, and health care. He said he voted to eliminate the marriage penalty tax, eliminate the surcharge on the earnings of senior citizens, and fought for a $2,000 tax credit for families with school-aged children. He also cited his work to pass a $10,000 per-year, per-child college tax credit, his efforts to help secure $175 million in breast cancer research funding, and his prescription drug legislation that would provide coverage for senior citizens.

He also delivered a direct challenge to his Republican opponent, former state senator Mark Nielsen of Danbury, accusing him of accepting “blood money” in the form of contributions from tobacco companies.  “Today, I challenge Mr Nielsen to return every penny of that tobacco money – that blood money – that he has taken. Stop profiting off of a product that kills people – and then you can talk reform,” Congressman Maloney said.