Sullivan takes on Courtney
By Amanda Pinto, Register Staff
MADISON — When Sean Sullivan visited several businesses along Boston Post Road Tuesday, he relayed a simple message: “I’m a Republican, I’m running for Congress and I want to change things.”
Sullivan of Ledyard, who is challenging Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2, is a retired naval commander and political newcomer. He toured Madison to introduce himself and hear what’s on residents’ minds.
It’s an effort he has mirrored in several of the district’s 65 towns, in hopes of boosting name recognition and familiarizing voters with issues, spokesman Andrew Powaleny said.
A former commander at the U.S. Submarine Base in Groton, and currently a lawyer, Sullivan has never held public office.
He said his desire to run stems from his frustration with a Congress he thinks is at a stalemate caused by partisanship and unwillingness to change.
Courtney, a former state representative from Vernon who was elected to the House of Representatives last term, has significantly more funding than Sullivan, Powaleny said.
“We know we’re not going to get the special interest money Joe Courtney is getting,” he said. “We know we’re the underdog, but that’s fine.”
Sullivan spoke at length with the people he met Tuesday. He listened to them bemoan high gas taxes — Sullivan supports a gas-tax holiday — and discuss difficult economic times.
“They need help with the things that have held Connecticut back from growing good jobs and opportunities, (like) high taxes, and we don’t have any energy investment going on here,” said Sullivan, who supports developing nuclear and other alternative energy. “I think we have to have a strategic plan that says 20, 25 years from now how much of our energy is going to come from this or that and have the smallest amount possible — preferably nothing — come from fossil fuels. Let’s lay out a plan to get there.”
Courtney too often voted with a legislature that has not been able to accomplish much, Sullivan said.
When asked about the District 2 race, Courtney’s spokesman, Brian Farber, elected to focus on Courtney’s record.
“Congressman Courtney has been an effective advocate for the interests of the shoreline, including successfully fighting Broadwater Energy, securing nearly $700,000 for the McKinney Refuge in Westbrook and fighting to reduce gas prices for all of Connecticut’s working families,” Farber said in a statement. “The congressman’s record is one of tremendous success and he has accomplished more in one year than his predecessor had in six.”
Sullivan said the current legislator has not done enough for residents and he would continue to bring that message to voters.
“People have to realize, if they want to change things, they’re really going to have to start voting for underdogs,” he said.