Dave DeFronzo Announces Clean Election Qualification and AFL-CIO and CSU-AAUP Endorsements
Former City Council member Dave DeFronzo (D-AL) has announced he has successfully qualified for the state’s Citizen Election Program, known commonly as the “Clean Election Program,” in his run for the 26th District State Representative seat. At the same time he has announced endorsements for his candidacy from the Connecticut AFL-CIO and the Connecticut State University American Association of University Professors (CSU-AAUP).
“I am honored to receive the Clean Election Fund grant and the endorsements from hard working labor organizations,” said DeFronzo. “These endorsements reflect my commitment to serving the people of our district with integrity, transparency, and a focus on the issues that matter most to our community.”
DeFronzo’s campaign said that,
The Clean Election Fund grant recognizes DeFronzo’s commitment to transparency and accountability in campaign finance. This grant is awarded to candidates who demonstrate strong grassroots support and adhere to the highest standards of ethical campaigning.
In addition, DeFronzo is being supported by the state labor union federation, the Connecticut AFL-CIO.
“This endorsement is a testament to Dave’s dedication and commitment to supporting workers and their rights,” said Sal Luciano, President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO. “We believe this endorsement will highlight his commitment to improving the lives of working families across Connecticut”
The Connecticut State University American Association of University Professors, (CSU-AAUP), the labor union of faculty members in the Connecticut state universities, added their endorsement, saying, “David is a lifelong New Britain resident, former at-large city alderman, and has been endorsed by Rep. Tercyak. He sees the public university system as ‘the engine of growth for Connecticut’s middle class.’ These young people are on the cutting edge of new technologies and new industries, and we want them to be in Connecticut.”
Current Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26) has endorsed DeFronzo, and DeFronzo’s campaign says that, “The CSU-AAUP endorsement emphasizes DeFronzo as a worthy successor to longtime supporter of unions and higher education, Peter Tercyak.”
DeFronzo had called the merger creating the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, “a disaster,” criticizing it as creating a, “huge bureaucracy,” that, “only serves to take money away from classroom instruction, faculty hiring, and student-centered programs.”
The Connecticut AFL-CIO says it, “is a federation of labor unions representing a diverse group of workers across various industries. The organization advocates for workers’ rights, fair wages, and safe working conditions.”
The CSU-AAUP says that it, “is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the interests of faculty and promoting quality higher education in the state of Connecticut.”
Another Democratic former Council member, Aram Ayalon, is challenging DeFronzo for the Democratic nomination for State Representative. Ayalon, who also served on the Board of Education has received enough petition signatures to qualify for an August 13th primary, when Democratic registered voters will determine their party’s nominee.
In addition to DeFronzo and Ayalon, Republican Board of Education member Barbara Marino (R) is seeking the seat.
DeFronzo’s campaign expressed optimism about the upcoming primary and election saying, that his, “campaign continues to gain momentum as he advocates for policies that support education, affordable housing, and workers’ rights,” adding that, “His platform emphasizes the importance of building a community that represents the interests of working people and neighborhood concerns.”
DeFronzo announced in April that he had received enough qualifying contributions to qualify for the Clean Election program. The program requires candidates to demonstrate enough support for their candidacies with, for State Representative, 150 local contributors and $5,800 total contributions of between $5 to $320. Candidates must commit to keeping campaign spending within strict limits.
DeFronzo qualifying for Clean Election program means that the State Election Enforcement Commission has determined that he has received sufficient qualifying contributions. The qualification means that state grants, rather than special interest money, will fund his campaign, within the spending limits, during his primary and general election campaign.
The Program, an historic reform created under leadership from the younger DeFronzo’s father, former State Senator Donald DeFronzo (D-6), in 2005 and 2006, is widely seen as largely removing the influence of big money special interests from state legislative and other elections.
Editor’s note: The cover photo is by local photographer, Dr. Frank Gerratana.
