Atty. Carrier Exits Democratic Contest for Probate Judge; Will Accept Republican Nomination

By John McNamara

New Britain Attorney Michael Carrier has dropped out of the Democratic contest to replace longtime Judge of Probate Walter A. Clebowicz in a special election to be held on November 2nd, the same day that voters will go to the polls to elect Mayor, City Councillors and other candidates to municipal offices.

Carrier, a lifelong Democrat and frequent contributor to Democratic campaigns, says he’s changing his party affiliation to gain the nod of Republicans in Berlin and New Britain after Mayor Erin Stewart, who is seeking re-election to the Mayor’s office, asked him to accept the GOP nod for Probate Judge. He is a partner at New Britain-based Weber, Carrier, Boiczyk & Chace, LLP.

Judge Clebowicz, a friend and ally of the late State Senator Joseph H. Harper. Jr., was elected Probate Judge n 1991 and is ending 30 years on the bench. He was re-elected to a seventh four year term in 2018 but turns 70 this year which is the mandatory age of retirement setting up this year’s special election. The Berlin Probate Court, located at One Liberty Square, includes Berlin and the City of New Britain and is one of 54 probate districts in Connecticut. Clebowicz turns 70 on October 17th creating the vacancy.

Party endorsements in the special election revert back to delegates who were chosen by town committees in 2018. Under Connecticut’s Primary law candidates must gain 15% of delegates to qualify for a primary against an endorsed candidate. A primary for both municipal offices and Probate Judge may be necessary in September after July endorsements

Carrier, who had earlier written to Democratic delegates for support as a Democrat and recently addressed members of the New Britain Democratic Town Committee, said he received only luke warm support among delegates he contacted. “I was really disappointed at the reception I was getting,” said Carrier, who then accepted Erin Stewart’s outreach to join the Republicans after “being welcomed with open arms.”

Carrier’s sudden party switch avoids an expected Democratic primary against Attorney Bob Scalise, a partner at Ericson, Scalise & Mangan PC. Absent Carrier, however, the Democratic endorsement may also involve other candidates ahead of the endorsing convention. Attorney and former City Councillor William Rivera of the Rivera Law Group is also said to be considering a run. Attorney William Kinley, chief clerk at the Farmington regional probate court, has reached out to the Democratic Town Committee about his candidacy.

Connecticut Probate Courts, also known as “family courts” because of the nature of cases before them, primarily have jurisdiction over the administration and oversight of trusts and estates, including probating wills and the administration of estates; overseeing testamentary and living trusts; determining title to real and personal property; and determining the meaning of wills and trusts. Judges of Probate are responsible for overseeing court operations but are also allowed to maintain their own law practices.