Date: Fri 30-Oct-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

election-profile-Ganim

Full Text:

ELECTION PROFILE : 28th District Senate -- Democrat Tom Ganim

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Easton resident Tom Ganim is making his second bid for the 28th District's

state senate seat. Two years ago, the Democrat's bid fell to longtime

incumbent Fred Lovegrove. This time around, he is going head-to-head with John

McKinney, a newcomer with deep political roots.

The 28th is a Republican-dominated district, and Mr Ganim is waging a vigorous

campaign. Late last month, Mr Ganim took a shot at Mr McKinney when he

revealed that the young Republican once worked as a lobbyist for US Tobacco.

The issue has since dominated the campaign.

"It's not a personal attack on his character. It's a personal attack on his

record," Mr Ganim said.

The Democrat first discovered Mr McKinney's past during an Internet search.

Five months ago on the Cummings & Lockwood law firm web site, Mr McKinney's

resume indicated he once worked for UST. Now, that reference has been removed,

which Mr Ganim believes is an indication that his opponent is trying to hide

his past.

On top of that, Mr Ganim said his Republican foe has changed his story about

his knowledge of the resume change.

"I think it is disingenuous for him to try to hide the fact that he worked for

UST, then turn around and say he didn't know his resume was changed. Then,

later say he approved of the changes," Mr Ganim said.

In ads this past week, Mr McKinney responded, accusing Mr Ganim's mother of

using her Monroe liquor store to market cigarettes.

"For Mr McKinney to come out and attack my mother and try to distract

attention from the fact that he has been a lobbyist for UST and a defender for

UST in a state suit -- he ought to be ashamed of himself," Mr Ganim said. "My

mother does not market tobacco products to kids."

Fortunately, Mr McKinney's days with UST aren't the only thing Mr Ganim is

talking about. He believes once voters start focusing in, they will see that

he is doing a better job of addressing the Newtown issues.

I've been coming to the forefront with issues. I stand for the implementation

of seat belts on school buses, smoke-free campuses, increased penalties for

drug and weapons offenders on campus," Mr Ganim said.

The candidate also has a proposal with regard to a patient's bill of rights,

which mandates that doctor-recommended hospital stays be paid for by HMOs.

He's calling for the right to hold HMOs responsible for harm done in denial of

treatment and the right to child immunizations.

"My campaign has laid out specifics. I want to modify or repeal local

affordable housing laws so that we can restore home rule and allow local land

use boards to make decisions on development of property in Newtown," he said.

Mr Ganim is disgusted by state mandates which allow a developer to come in and

build multi-unit complexes out of the character of Newtown under the guise of

affordable housing.

Mr Ganim said there are certain properties in Newtown that fall within the

price range of affordable housing under the statute, but are still not

considered affordable by the state. That's unfair, he said.

Mr Ganim said he'll work hard to bring more state aid to Newtown. He's done

his homework, too, pointing out that school enrollment in Newtown has risen 18

percent over the past five years, while aid had decreased.

"I want to fight for more aid from the state to help pay for the construction

of new schools," he said.

Mr Ganim said the difference between himself and Mr McKinney is clear.

"I've talked about specific proposals. My opponent makes no sound proposals --

no proposals at all that I can see, other than he's in favor of growing the

economy. I'm in favor of growing the economy, but what proposal has he come up

with," he said.

Mr Ganim, 32, is an attorney is his family's Bridgeport law firm. He is a 1984

graduate of Joel Barlow High School in Redding. After high school, he went on

to Fairfield University where he graduated with a degree in political science

in 1989. He then received his law degree in 1991 from the University of

Bridgeport.