Despite DUI Charge–

Healy Reelected State GOP Chair

BRIDGEPORT (AP) – Republican state chairman Chris Healy, who disclosed that he had been arrested on drunken driving charges in South Carolina, was reelected to his post Tuesday night.

The reelection came two weeks after Healy told the GOP’s state central committee he was an alcoholic and had been convicted of drunken driving for the second time in five years.

Healy, 49, who has followed a program of counseling and support for years, was elected without opposition to a two-year term.

“I do believe in second chances,” Healy told the committee, who gave him a standing ovation. “I promise not to let you down.”

Healy was arrested in May in South Carolina, where he was attending a GOP presidential debate and a meeting of Republican chairmen. He pleaded no contest.

He faces no criminal sanction in Connecticut, but he expects to lose his license for up to three years as administrative punishment.

Healy, who had received supportive phone calls and letters since disclosing his arrest and alcoholism, did seek the approval of Gov. M. Jodi Rell and other elected leaders.

Healy met Friday at the governor’s residence with Rell, Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr. of Norwalk and Senate Minority Leader John McKinney of Fairfield.

“She told me again she was disappointed, which I understood, but she wanted to give me a second chance,” Healy said. “I am grateful.”