Date: Fri 24-Jul-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-Shea-primary-112th

Full Text:

Shea To Force A GOP Primary In The 112th District

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Pat Shea of Monroe announced this week she plans to remain in the race for the

now-vacant legislative seat in 112th District.

She was expected to file her papers to force a Republican primary Thursday

morning.

Last week, she lost to Monroe resident Ed Callo in her bid to receive her

party's nomination at a convention at the Monroe Town Hall. She was defeated,

10-2, with her only votes coming from Newtown delegates Jim and Maria Smith.

Newtown's third delegate, Barbara O'Connor, voted for Mr Callo. A candidate

needs the votes of at least two delegates in order to force a primary.

"I feel I am the more electable candidate,' she said Wednesday.

Mr Callo and Mrs Shea were the lone Republican candidates after the district's

current representative, Bill Varese, backed out at the last minute under

pressure from his own party. Newtown's Republican Town Committee had urged Mr

Varese not to seek reelection following his arrest for drunk driving and

evading responsibility after he had driven into several parked cars in

Bridgeport last March.

The 112th District covers Monroe and sections of Botsford and Sandy Hook.

Mrs Shea had been a candidate since June, however, at the time, the Monroe

Republican Town Committee was still endorsing Mr Varese. Mr Callo only joined

the race July 13 after receiving the backing of Mr Varese.

Andrew Nunn of Monroe received the unanimous endorsement of the Democratic

Town Committee last week at Edmond Town Hall.

Mrs Shea, a corporate relocation consultant and 33-year Monroe resident, has

never served as an elected official, though she has been involved with several

community organizations and was once a member of the Monroe conservation

commission. She recently chaired Monroe's 125th anniversary celebration.

Mr Callo once served as chairman of the Monroe Republican Town Committee and

recently served as clerk-of-the-works for the Cyrenius Booth Library expansion

project in Newtown.

The primary is scheduled for September 15.