National Republicans see Brickley 'on the radar'

Though Republican congressional hopeful Ann Brickley remains a longshot in her quest to capture the 1st District seat long held by Democrat John Larson, the national GOP is no longer ignoring her completely. Take a look at this.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Brickley has spent nearly $200K of her own money

Though Republican congressional hopeful Ann Brickley, a Wethersfield business consultant, has a long way to go before reaching Senate candidate Linda McMahon's spending spree, but she's still dipping into her own money in a way rarely seen in Central Connecticut.
Her latest campaign filings show she has donated or loaned nearly $200,000 to her campaign, which has only collected $254,000 in all, through October 1.
Larson has managed to attract nearly $2 million in donations so far -- but none of it is his own. I'll have more on that in the days ahead.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Brickley campaigns with Sen. Scott Brown

Republican congressional contender Ann Brickley posing with Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, from her campaign page on Facebook:

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Brickley address "Drain the Swamp" rally in Hartford on 10/2

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Brickley sees an opportunity

On the heels of a new poll showing that she's got a chance for a major upset, Republican Ann Brickley said she's getting swamped with phone calls of support today and expects she'll be able to raise "significantly more money" in the days ahead.
Brickley, a Wethersfield business owner, is hoping to knock out 12-year incumbent Democrat John Larson, the fourth-ranking member of the U.S. House leadership and a key lieutenant of Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Brickley said that Larson, whose district includes Bristol, has "a poster boy for what's wrong with Washington."
Brickley said the new poll squares with the results her campaign has been seeing privately.
"We do have a shot at winning," she said. "We think this is competitive."
Brickley said that she's been getting out across the 1st District a lot in recent months.
"I really don't meet many people who feel the country is on the right path," Brickley said.
Brickley said that all of the major programs pushed by the Democrats, from health care to the financial overhaul, "are heading in the wrong direction" and voters know it.
Brickley said her campaign has been spending wisely all along, "trying to make the most of every penny," and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Larson in trouble?

A new poll released today shows Republican Ann Brickley, a Wethersfield business owner and engineer, within 7 points of veteran Democratic lawmaker John Larson.
It opens the staggering possibility that one of the Democratic kingpins in the U.S. House could be ousted in a district dominated by Democrats by a challenger that almost nobody knew until this summer.
Larson has crushed every previous challenger since winning the 1st District congressional seat in 1998.
The poll was commissioned by ctapitolreport.com and conducted by the Merriman River Group. It shows Larson with a 52-45 advantage.
Brickley, by the way, is a moderate Republican in the mold of former U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson of New Britain. She is not a Tea Party favorite nor is she running any sort of wild-eyed campaign.
She portrays herself as one of those traditional New England Republicans that seemed extinct just a couple of years ago.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Brickley pushes Larson to debate in Bristol and beyond

Republican congressional hopeful Ann Brickley just sent out this press release:
Brickley Still Waiting for Larson to Commit to Debates
Despite hectic fundraising schedule Larson campaign claims he is unavailable for any events prior to October 14th
WETHERSFIELD, CT (September 29, 2010) – On the evening of the August 10th Primary Elections, Congressman John Larson sent out a press release congratulating Ann Brickley on her victory and saying he was looking forward to holding “a debate and joint appearances” with her. In response to Larson’s press release, Brickley sent him a letter suggesting that they hold debates in at least six locations in an effort to allow as many people as possible in the expansive district to see the candidates discuss their views on the issues.
After waiting more than a month for a response to her request, representatives from Larson’s campaign finally sat down with representatives of Brickley’s campaign to discuss potential debates. Larson’s representatives stated that he would not be available Mondays through Thursdays until October 14th because Congress was still in session. Brickley questioned the validity of this claim considering the fact that Larson had participated in several campaign fundraisers both in Connecticut and in Washington, DC over the past few weeks, but her representatives attempted to comply with this schedule and planned the following debates:
· Bristol – at the Eastern Regional Little League Headquarters on Thursday October 21st which would be hosted and moderated by the Bristol Press.
· New Hartford – held at the Antolini School Tuesday, October 26th to be hosted and moderated by the Litchfield County League of Women Voters
· Cromwell - held at the Cromwell Middle School on either October 14th or 28th that could potentially be moderated by the League of Women Voters of Greater Hartford.
· West Hartford - The Greater Hartford League of Women Voters have invited Larson, Brickley and Green Party candidate Ken Krayeske to participate in a debate in West Hartford on October 18th.
With the exception of the West Hartford event, Larson’s campaign has yet to confirm Congressman Larson’s participation in any additional debates.
“Congressman Larson apparently has more than enough time to raise hundreds of thousands of campaign dollars, including participating in an event with Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Hartford that raised $300,000,” Brickley said. “But when it comes to going out into to the district to debate such issues as the federal stimulus incentives, healthcare, and cap and trade, apparently Mr. Larson is just too busy. Congressman Larson and I are miles apart on these issues and I think we owe it to the people of the First Congressional District to provide them with the opportunity to see and hear us explain our differences.”
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Brickley slams Larson on spending

Republican congressional hopeful Ann Brickley has a new website -- www.ctbigspender.com -- devoted to pounding U.S. Rep. John Larson, the East Hartford Democrat she's aiming to unseat. She even has a front page ad in today's Hartford Courant to trumpet the new line of attack.
This is as much heat as Larson has felt on the campaign trail in years.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Brickley holds gridiron fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 12

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Larson seeks debates with Brickley

Press release from U.S. Rep. John Larson:

LARSON CONGRATULATES ANN BRICKLEY ON WINNING THE 1^ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: LOOKS FORWARD TO CAMPAIGN

East Hartford, CT –John Larson (CT-1) released the following statement on the results of the 1^st Congressional District Republican Primary.


“I congratulate Ann on winning the primary. I look forward to the campaign, and an invigorating discussion of the issues facing the families, veterans, seniors, and small business owners of Connecticut.


We’ve accomplished much - historic legislation reforming Wall Street, ensuing quality affordable health care for all Americans and putting people back to work here in Greater Hartford.  But there is much to be done; rebuilding Connecticut manufacturing by ensuring that we “Make it in America”, and sell it around the world, and by creating clean energy jobs that will help our economy emerge stronger than ever.”  


The Larson Campaign also announced its intention to hold a debate and joint appearances with Brickley.     


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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Brickley wins GOP congressional primary

ROCKY HILL – Republicans appear to have given the 1^st District congressional primary nod to Wethersfield engineer Ann Brickley.

Though many results were not yet in, Brickley held at least a 10 point lead over challenger Mark Zydanowicz late Tuesday when the paper went to press.

With about half the precincts counted, including many in Zydanowicz strongholds, Brickley held what appears to be an insurmountable lead in the far-flung district, earning her the opportunity to take on U.S. Rep. John Larson in the November 2 general election.

Zydanowicz was not ready to throw in the towel, however.

“We’re still not sure,” the West Hartford dairy executive said from his home. “We’re still waiting to hear.”

At deadline, Brickley had yet to make an appearance before a crowd of about 100 supporters at the Rocky Hill Marriott, across the hall from a gathering for gubernatorial hopeful Tom Foley.

In Bristol, Zydanowicz garnered 649 votes to 632 for Brickley, but Bristol was considered by both sides in the primary fight to be heavily in Zydanowicz’s corner.

Larson, an East Hartford Democrat, has represented the 1^st District since 1998. A Republican hasn’t won the district since 1956.

Brickley said she plans to break the half century streak of one party dominance in the district.

In talking points prepared for Brickley’s address, she thanked Zydanowicz and Joe Visconti, who lost out at the Republican convention, for running a clean campaign that avoided personal attacks.

She said in the prepared remarks that with rounds one and two behind her in the campaign, “I am ready for the main event.”

Brickley vowed to take it to Larson because “the problem with entrenched incumbents is they only talk to each other” and they don’t listen to constituents.

She said she’s had “enough of the rhetoric” and intends to force Larson to do a lot of explaining.

“I can’t wait to debate,” Brickley said. “I’ll debate him on his front porch if I have to.”

“We will be heard,” Brickley said, because “our government is broken and it’s time for all the residents in the 1^st District to come together and send the message to Washington that we have had enough.”

Larson has a built-in advantage with more than 20 times as much campaign cash raised – so much that he’s given more away to other Democrats than the Republicans have any hope of raising themselves for the race.

The 1^st District includes Bristol, Southington and Berlin. It is centered on Hartford.

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Watch 1st District GOP congressional debate

Here's the CT-N tape of Thursday's 1st District GOP congressional debate between Ann Brickley and Mark Zydanowicz:

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Brickley, Zydanowicz hold only real debate

In their only full-scale debate, two Republicans vying for the right to take on U.S. Rep. John Larson in the general election showed a surprising civility Thursday and expressed views that largely mirrored one another.
But Ann Brickley, an engineer from Wethersfield, and Mark Zydanowicz, a dairy executive from West Hartford, clashed sharply on one key issue at the showdown at Trinity College: the proposed $574 million busway between Hartford and New Britain.
Zydanowicz scoffed at the plan, calling it “financially irresponsible” and a poor substitute for a commuter rail line.
Brickley said the busway is “ready to go” and would begin to alleviate congestion on Interstate 84 within three years.
Holding out for rail, she said, would be much more costly and take a decade if it ever came to pass.
Generally, though, the candidates offered only slightly different takes on the issues raised during the debate, sponsored by the League of Women Voters and co-sponsored by Trinity and CT-N, which recorded it and plans to show it sometime this weekend. Click here for the full story.
I'll endeavor to post a link to the CT-N video whenever I find it online.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Brickley, Zydanowicz to debate Thursday in Hartford

Media Advisory
	REPUBLICAN 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATES TO DEBATE AT TRINITY
	Ann Brickley, Mark Zydanowicz to Compete in August 10 Primary What: Ann Brickley, the Republican Party’s endorsed candidate in the 1st Congressional District – which includes Hartford – and challenger Mark Zydanowicz will participate in an hour-long debate. The two will appear on the August 10 primary ballot, with the winner squaring off against Democratic incumbent John B. Larson in the November election for the right to represent central Connecticut in Congress. The debate, which is open to the public and will be taped and broadcast by CT-N, is being hosted by the League of Women Voters. When: Thursday, August 5 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Where: The Washington Room in Mather Hall on the Trinity campus, 300 Summit Street.

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Brickley, Zydanowicz clash on debate

Press release from congressional hopeful Ann Brickley of Wethersfield, the GOP's endorsed candidate in the 1st District:
Brickley Expresses Disappointment With Zydanowicz’s Rejection of Invitation to Participate in First Congressional Primary Debate
Zydanowicz cites “scheduling conflicts” as reason for declining 30 to 40-minute debate hosted by the League of Women Voters of Greater Hartford
WETHERSFIELD, CT (July 26, 2010) – Ann Brickley, the Republican-endorsed candidate for the First Congressional District, expressed disappointment that her Republican primary challenger has declined to participate in a 30 to 40-minute debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Greater Hartford that would have been held in the Legislative Chambers of the West Hartford Town Hall on Tuesday, July 27th at 12:30 p.m. Mr. Zydanowicz states that he was unable to change his schedule to accommodate the debate and declined the invitation.
“While both Mark and I are currently campaigning throughout the First District and our schedules can be incredibly hectic, I believe that we owe it to the voters of the First Congressional District to have an open and extensive exchange of ideas on the key issues,” Brickley said. With so many competitive and well-publicized political campaigns taking place this year, it has been challenging for both of our campaigns to receive a great deal of media coverage. This situation makes it more difficult for voters to learn a great deal about our views and backgrounds.
The Greater Hartford League had made arrangements to have the debate taped by West Hartford Cable Television and the Connecticut Television Network had also planned on sending a television crew to tape the event so it could be aired in various communities throughout the First Congressional District. The Brickley campaign is attempting to see if another more convenient date and location can be found prior to the August 10th primary.
Here is the response that Zydanowicz, who is challenging Brickley for the right to take on U.S. Rep. John Larson in November, posted on Facebook: Apparently my opponent put out a press release that I would not debate her. This is not true; we debated on live for 12 minuets on NBC at the 5:30 news last week. Regarding the League of Women Voters debate; I received “5 business hours” notice. They contacted me late Friday and wanted an answer 1st thing Monday morning. I previously scheduled a commercial shoot and could not accommodate a re-shoot. If my opponent can not plan properly for something as simple as a debate how can we send her to congress?
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Ann Brickley, GOP congressional contender, on "Real Story"

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Brickley blasts Larson's use of campaign dollars

Press release issued this morning by Republican congressional hopeful Ann Brickley, a Wethersfield Republican:

Brickley Questions Larson’s Fundraising and Campaign Spending Decisions
Cites Larson’s use of PAC funds for Congressmen’s Legal Defense Funds
(Wethersfield, CT) July 21, 2010– Ann Brickley, the Republican convention-endorsed candidate, is questioning Congressman Larson claims of being a leading supporter of campaign finance reform while milking the system for every possible dollar. Larson reports raising $1.8 million thru June and having $900,000 on hand. The fact that he has spent $900,000 on his campaign to date should raise the question "on what"?
“While Larson advocates for getting special interests out of politics, one of the most complete lists of special interest groups in Washington is the lists of donors to Larson's Political Action Committees,” Brickley said. “It is interesting to note that a substantial number of donors only report a P.O. Box as their address and contribute thousands of dollars.”
Based on May figures, Larson had spent more than $531,685 on his campaign, having given colleagues who elect him to his leadership position $236,500 and donated $286,750 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
“Clearly these PACs are huge political slush funds with no restrictions that are taken seriously,” Brickley stated.
According to campaign filings, these funds are even used to finance legal defense funds for congressmen who are charged with violating the law. Larson's committees are a prime source of funds for Democrats colleagues in need regardless of the situation.
Larson’s leadership PAC expenditures include contributions to the Legal Defense Funds of Congressmen William Jefferson, Brad Miller and Jim McDermott. William Jefferson is the Democratic Representative from Louisiana who was charged with accepting a bribe when authorities found that he placed the cash bribe in his refrigerator.
“I have questioned how contributions of this nature could be permitted under any rules but learned that PACs are regulated by the theory that anything that is not specifically prohibited is permitted,” Brickley said. “On that basis the rules would have to address the possibility that Representative Jefferson would need legal help to contest a bribe allegation in order to regulate this donation.”
Another aspect of PACs that Brickley also expressed her concern about is the frequency that some Congressmen hosts events. Several events per week is not unusual and may explain why they are voting on bills without having read them. Again Congressman Larson has hosted numerous events including Bocce ball tournaments in DC attorney's offices, wine tasting at exotic locations, and the recent Mohegan Sun extravaganza which was one of the most lavish and financially successful.
“As your Congressperson I will lead the campaign to abolish "Leadership PACs" and bring serious reform to all political committees,” Brickley said. “Until we do that, meaningful Campaign Finance Reform is simply rhetoric. At present, Larson is one of the biggest offenders and has put out some of the most effective rhetoric to date.”
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Larson way ahead with campaign cash

Veteran U.S. Rep. John Larson has 15 times as much campaign cash on hand as both of the Republicans vying to unseat him have between them.
Larson, an East Hartford Democrat who has represented the 1st District since 1998, has raised $1.8 million for this year’s campaign and still has half of it in his campaign treasury, according to the Federal Election Commission.
On the GOP side, the two competitors in an Aug. 10 primary, Ann Brickley and Mark Zydanowicz, together raised $80,000, which includes $61,237 in loans from Brickley to her campaign.
Brickley, the party’s endorsed candidate, still had $55,000 of her campaign cash on hand at the end of June.
Zydanowicz, a West Hartford dairy executive, raised $7,195 as of May 1. The FEC hasn’t yet posted his campaign finance information through June.
Neither of the Republicans reported receiving any political action committee cash. Larson, on the other hand, has collected $759,000 from scores of groups.
Larson also got more than $1 million from individual donors. Click here for full story.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Brickley challenges Zydanowicz to debate(s)

Letter written this week by Republican congressional candidate Ann Brickley to Mark Zydanowicz, who is aiming to grab the 1st District nomination in an August 10 primary:
Dear Mark:
As I mentioned this morning, when I travel throughout Connecticut’s First Congressional District, I am often asked when the two of us will engage in a debate. I am sure you have entertained similarquestions during your visits to local communities. With a little more than a month remaining beforethe August 10th Primary Election, I think we owe it to the Republican voters of the First District, as well as all of the residents of the District, to hold at least one substantive debate that focuses on ourviews on the key issues faced by Connecticut and throughout the nation.
We as a nation face many serious challenges that require real leadership to find thoughtful and effective solutions. As candidates for the Republican nomination for Congress, we should bediscussing such vitally important issues as how to improve the economy and promote job growth, how to balance our deficit-ridden budget, and our ideas about enacting meaningful health carereform that expands people’s access to health care without placing an unfair burden on our children and grandchildren.
As Republicans, you and I share many core values, but I believe there are some significant differences between our two backgrounds and our views on key issues. Unfortunately, the Republican candidates for this District have historically been viewed as underdogs with little chance to actually be elected to office and often receive little coverage by the media. This situation makes itmore challenging for voters to become aware of candidates’ views and backgrounds.
It is for these reasons that I hope you will agree to join me at least one debate prior to the August10th primary. We have been in contact with the Connecticut League of Women Voters and theLeague has expressed an interest in asking some of the local chapters in the First District to hold at least one debate and possibly more. It is time to provide the voters with the opportunity to hear ourviewpoints and ideas and explain why this year they really do have a choice in the election for theFirst Congressional District. It is up to us to show them why they should make history and supportthe Republican candidate to represent the people’s interests in Washington.
Sincerely,
Ann Brickley

Brickley blasts Larson fundraising

Press release from Republican congressional candidate Ann Brickley:

Brickley Calls for Ban On Leadership PACs

Republican candidate for CT First Congressional District cites Rep. Larson’s questionable leadership PAC expenditures as example of flaws in system.

WETHERSFIELD, CT (June 24, 2010) – Ann Brickley, the Republican-endorsed candidate for the First Congressional District, has called for a ban on  Political Action Committees formed by leaders of Congress  due to the lack of accountability and their use as huge slush funds.

Brickley cites Democratic House Caucus Chairman John Larson's (CT-1^st) “Synergy PAC,” which recently hosted one of the most lavish events of the season at the Mohegan Sun Casino, as an example of the types of questionable activities for which these PACs are used. In the invitation to the Mohegan Sun event, donors were invited to a "New England Summer Golf, Spa and Concert Retreat".  They could "learn to gamble from the pros," enjoy the music of James Taylor and Carole King and get a "legislative update" from Larson.  The cost was $5,000 per person. 

While FEC regulations prohibit Larson’s Synergy PAC from "directly" supporting his congressional campaign, it can provide "indirect" support, i.e. travel, political consulting fees, polling, etc.

“It appears that the regulations are worded so that congressional leaders can do just about anything without violating the law.” Brickley said.  “The allowable use of Leadership PAC’s is to help fund other candidates’ campaigns.  In effect, Larson is using the Synergy PAC to secure the support of his colleagues to maintain his leadership position.  I feel this practice should be illegal but it is permitted,” she continued. 

In the 2008 election, Larson's Synergy PAC raised over half million dollars, and distributed 55% of the funds collected to other campaigns.  Synergy also reported payments to American Express ($44,000), Mohegan Sun ($41,200), Waverly Group ($32,400), Walt Disney World ($25,400), Disney Resort Destinations ($16,099) and Foxwoods Resort Casino ($13,200).  For the 2010 election cycle, less than 50 percent of the expenditures have been spent on other candidate campaigns. 

Brickley believes that Larson should explain how these items legally qualify as indirect support for his campaign.  If he cannot provide such an explanation then these expenditures could represent a violation of existing laws in regards to leadership PACs.

“Congressman Larson's use of his Synergy PAC illustrates my point that we should get rid of these incumbent political slush funds,” Brickley said. “They are another example of Congress regulating what everybody else can do, but exempting themselves from the rules.”

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com