Dems' Comptroller Primary Campaign Explodes Into Action;

Jarjura Calls Lembo 'Insider'; Lembo Blasts Him On Rowland

By Jon Lender, Courant.com “Capitol Watch”
June 8, 2010 9:04 PM

Waterbury Mayor Michael J. Jarjura set off a political explosion Tuesday when he announced
that he'll wage a primary Aug. 10 for the Democratic nomination for state comptroller against
Kevin P. Lembo, who won the party's endorsement at last month's state convention.

Jarjura had won more than the 15 percent of convention delegates that gave the right to run in a
primary, so his official announcement pretty much confirmed what everyone had expected.

But two unexpected things happened: First, Jarjura threw a jab at Lembo, a former assistant state
comptroller who now serves as the state healthcare advocate. And next, Lembo struck back even
harder -- immediately blasting Jarjura for giving former Republican governor and fellow
Waterbury native John G. Rowland a job as Waterbury's economic development czar in recent
years, after Rowland finished a prison sentence for corruption.

By Tuesday night, four political punches had been thrown -- two by each side.

The day began with a Jarjura press release that made his Aug. 10 primary intentions official. "It's
time we return financial sanity to state government," Jarjura said in his written statement. "While
I may not have been the pick of the Democratic party bosses, I have won 16 elections and
primaries over the last 20 years, including an historic write-in victory in 2005."

Jarjura said that he produced 10 balanced budgets in Waterbury and returned surpluses to the city
at the end of each fiscal year. He added that he also has "implemented many far-reaching
financial reforms and was able to raise the city's bond rating from junk status to the 'A' level."

But then he changed the subject to his intraparty opponent, saying that Lembo "has never gone
before the voters of Connecticut in the past," and "has served and been part of the present
administration in Hartford which has left the state with a projected $4 billion operating deficit,
over $60 billion in unfunded liabilities and a reduced bond rating."

Jarjura's statement continued: "On August 10, the voters of Connecticut can choose between an
entrenched political insider or Mike Jarjura who will bring experience and proven leadership
ability to help restore financial stability to the Connecticut economy."

That drew a stinging retort from Lembo's campaign manager, Jacqueline Kozin, who issued a
statement saying Jarjura opposes women's right to abortion and hired Rowland.

Kozin said: "We welcome the opportunity to debate the issues facing Connecticut and Kevin's
ability to help craft solutions, as well as Mr. Jarjura's lengthy public record as a member of the
legislative advisory committee of ultra-conservative Family Institute of Connecticut, as a
legislator opposing issues like a woman's right to choose, and his decision as a four-term mayor
to hire disgraced former Governor John Rowland."
She also said, "With Connecticut facing the prospect of more than a $3 billion hole in the state
budget next year, Kevin Lembo has the experience as a former assistant comptroller and now as
Healthcare Advocate, to need no on the job training for state comptroller.''

Later, the Jarjura campaign issued another statement, headed: "Jarjura Campaign Urges
Opponents to Stick With the Issues." The statement said, "The Jarjura for Comptroller campaign
is disappointed, but not surprised, that its opposition in the Aug. 10 primary wants to talk about
anything but the wretched financial condition of the state of Connecticut in its reaction to Mike
Jarjura's candidacy."
 
"Mike Jarjura's positions on social issues are irrelevant to the state's $4 billion operating deficit,
its $60 billion in unfunded liabilities and its recently downgraded bond rating," said Jarjura
campaign manager Bob Brown.
 
"The mountain of debts, obligations and rapidly declining state credit rating are a direct result
Mr. Lembo's tenure as assistant comptroller and are just the kind of insane fiscal policies the
State of Connecticut can no longer afford," the Jarjura campaign statement said.

It concluded: "In the past year, Waterbury has received increased bond ratings from all three
major agencies, achieved a 70 percent funding of its pension obligations at a major savings to
Waterbury taxpayers and continues to modernize, improve and reform its financial practices.
That's what this campaign is about, not red herrings from the Lembo campaign that do nothing to
explain how to right Connecticut's financial house."

Lembo's campaign manager, Kozin, came back with another retort later, saying: "Kevin Lembo
has talked about nothing but the budget issues facing Connecticut for the past seven months, and
that's why he received the overwhelming endorsement of Democrats at the convention last
month."

"It might help Mr. Brown and Mr. Jarjura to understand what the duties and responsibilities of
the state comptroller are," Kozin said.  "The state budget is prepared and approved by the
legislature and the governor, and if either had listened to the advice of sitting Comptroller Nancy
Wyman, they would not be facing the current problems."

Kozin added: "We also beg to differ on the relevance of social issues. The ability of a state
elected official to make solid decisions is important, and the comptroller's stance on issues like
choice are directly relevant to the administration of state employee and retiree health care
benefits."

Wyman has joined the Democratic gubernatorial ticket of Dannel Malloy as his running mate
and candidate for lieutenant governor.

Malloy and Wyman, both endorsed by convention delegates last month for their offices, also will
be on the Democratic primary ballot Aug. 10. Malloy, former mayor of Stamford, is being
challenged for the gubernatorial nomination by Greenwich cable TV entrepreneur Ned Lamont. 
Wyman is being challenged by Lamont's lieutenant-governor running mate, Simsbury First
Selectman Mary Glassman.

A third Democratic candidate for comptroller, state Rep. Tom Reynolds of Ledyard, has dropped
out of the race.