13th State House

Connecticut Fourth Senatorial District - Former State Rep. David Blackwell

Manchester attorney and former 12th District State Representative David Blackwell will challenge incumbent Democrat Mary Ann Handley to represent Manchester, Glastonbury, Bolton, and Marlborough in the Connecticut State Senate.

You can view pictures from Mr. Blackwell’s announcement of candidacy here.

9th State House District - Primary August 12, 2008

On Tuesday, August 12, Republican voters in Districts 4 (Martin School) and 9 (Keeney St. School) will take part in a primary to determine who will represent the Republican Party on the November ballot.  The three Republicans vying in the primary are Clifton Thompson, Michael Crockett, and Dennis Brenner.  All three men live in Manchester.

13th State House District - Cheri Pelletier

Director Cheri Pelletier announced her bid for State Representative on May 17, 2008.  She will take on longtime Democrat State Rep. Jack Thompson in November.  The 13th District is comprised of voting districts 5 (Senior Center), 6 (Nathan Hale), 8 (Verplanck), and 10 (Mahoney Rec. Center).

Republican Director Cheri Pelletier announced her candidacy for the 13th State House District on Friday, May 16, at the Lincoln Center in Manchester. Both the JI and the Courant had articles about Pelletier’s bid.The Journal Inquirer - after putting the wrong district number in the headline - wrote a good article covering Cheri’s announcement.

Republican town Director Cheri Ann Pelletier announced her candidacy for the 13th House District seat this morning, saying she will bring “a level of energy and action to the state House like no other candidate.”Pelletier, who has been a member of Manchester’s Board of Directors since 2005, likely will face Democrat John W. Thompson, who has held the 13th District seat for 22 years. Thompson hasn’t filed campaign documents yet, but has said he plans to run.

Pelletier said Thompson’s “service, although admirable, was largely during a time when manufacturing and private industry thrived, the dollar was worth more, and the times and issues seemed simpler.”

The Courant piece was interesting if only for this quote from Rep. Jack Thompson: “She’s free to do what she wants,” Thompson said. “I don’t know her very well, but I welcome anyone who wants to run against me.”  Is it possible that after more than two years of Pelletier’s service on the Board of Directors - in addition to hailing from South Manchester like Thompson, State Rep. Thompson still can’t claim to know Pelletier well?