Democrat Hopes For An Upset In The 28th Senatorial District

By Steve Bigham

The 28th District State Senate seat has been held by a Republican for more than 20 years and incumbent John McKinney of Fairfield is hoping to continue that tradition with a victory next Tuesday.

The 28th District is made up of Easton, Fairfield, Monroe and Newtown.

Mr McKinney is being challenged by Democrat Felix Giannini, a longtime member of the Fairfield representative town meeting, who has a background in technology – something he says is badly needed in Hartford. Mr Giannini, 43, follows in a long line of Democrats who have attempted to win the seat – most recently Tom Ganim and Gary Fetzer, who went a combined 0-for-4 in their efforts. The last Democrat to hold the seat was Joe Schwartz, who won in 1974, only to be unseated two years later.

Mr Giannini says it is time for a change, believing that the people of Connecticut have become somewhat “disenfranchised” by state government. And, he adds, John McKinney is part of the problem.

Mr McKinney, 36, appears to have found his niche in Hartford, wasting little time in gaining the respect of his senior colleagues. As a freshman senator, he was assigned to the finance, transportation and environment committees, playing a key role in writing legislation and tax policy. He believes he has already established a proven record of “leadership, integrity and accomplishment.”

“When I ran two years ago, I made promises about the kind of representative I would be. When I think back, I can honestly say that I kept those promises. That’s what I’m most proud of,” Mr McKinney said, pointing to his efforts to cut taxes, clean up the environment, preserve open space and make educating our children priority number one.

Senator McKinney has also worked closely with Newtown’s three state representatives, particularly Julia Wasserman, to ensure that Newtown’s best interests are served on such issues as Fairfield Hills and the prison. For example, when word got out that the state was considering an expansion of its prison system, Garner Correctional in Newtown came up as a possible site. Mr McKinney went straight to Governor John Rowland to say he wouldn’t stand for it.

If there was a disappointment during his first two years, Mr McKinney said it was Hartford’s failure to cut the income tax. For one, Mr McKinney said, it hits the middle class of Fairfield County.

“One year, we had a surplus of $500 million. That tells you that taxes were too high,” he said.

A high note from the budget deliberations was the passage of Mr McKinney’s partisan amendment that reduced the state’s property tax exemption from $350 to $500.

But it is “government by amendment” that has Mr Giannini looking to change the status quo. As he points out, he has no political aspirations, just a yearning to improve the way things are. As a longtime PTA leader, soccer coach, local legislator and classroom volunteer, Mr Giannini has been a solid citizen who simply wants to have the voice of the people heard. An Eagle Scout, the Fairfield resident was inspired at an early age to become involved in community service, “not as a politician, but in doing what is the right thing to do.”

 He is also a small business owner, running two high-tech companies in lower Fairfield County.

“It gives me an incredible perspective,” he said. “Part of my education agenda is to provide more internships in the technology sector.”

The Democratic newcomer is calling for an improved state Board of Education, is an advocate for efficiency and feels a strong obligation to seniors and those on fixed incomes. He opposed the John McKinney-sponsored “filthy five” bill, which seeks to minimize the amount of unhealthy emission released by a number of the state’s power plants built prior to the 1977 Clean Air Act, because he believes it lets off these large companies too easily.

“John was responsible for introducing pollution-credit trading, which allows says that these power plants don’t need to comply with the Clean Air Act once they have achieved modest reductions by bringing in slightly cleaner fuel.”

“My mission is to reconnect the government with the people,” Mr Giannini said. “John is more encumbered than I am. I don’t have my eyes set on the Fourth District (US Congressional) seat. I have no pressure from above. My pressure comes from below – from the people.”

Mr McKinney has not yet indicated that he is considered a run at US Congress and Mr Giannini said he heard that information “second hand.”

Running a low-budget campaign, Mr Giannini said he is in support of campaign finance reform, something Mr McKinney voted against.

Mr Giannini believes he can become a “pioneer” in taking the Internet to the next level in terms of how it can be used by the government.

“I want to make it a forum, not just an after-the-fact, cumbersome system. I want it to be user-friendly where people can use it to better understand the issues and contribute to the debate,” he said. “Technology is a good way of getting youth back involves in government and politics.”

Mr Giannini said he did not originally plan to run for the 28th District seat, but joined the race at the request of his party.

Mr McKinney says he will continue to be fiscally responsible with the taxpayers’ money and will work hard to prevent the state government from spending simply because the economy is good.

“In good times with big surpluses we resisted the temptation to spend all kinds of money on new programs. Instead, we took a balanced approach, cutting taxes, paying down the debt and creating some new programs,” he explained.

As a ranking member of the Transportation Bonding Subcommittee, Mr McKinney says he has worked hard to tackle the transportation issues currently facing Fairfield County.

McKinney’s Background

Born and raised in Fairfield, Mr McKinney is married to Megen, and the couple has three young children, Matthew, 4, Graysen, 2, and Kate, three months.

After graduating from Yale University, he went on to receive his law degree from the University of Connecticut. He is part owner of a gourmet food store.

He is the son of the widely respected late Congressman Stewart McKinney.

Giannini’s Background

After growing up in Westchester County, Mr Giannini moved to Fairfield County 20 years ago, living in Stratford for six years before moving to Fairfield 14 years ago. The father of three children, ages 12, 13 and 15, Mr Giannini joined the Navy at age 18 and eventually graduated from the Navy’s Nuclear Power School. He spent three years in active duty and three in the reserve. He graduated from Manhattan College with a dual degree in physics and English.

“That allows me to relate technology to lay people,” he said.

Mr Giannini is the owner of two companies specializing in software development.