CT Attorney General, Dems Speak on Hot Topic Issues at Democratic Picnic

BETHEL, CT — Connecticut Democrats and those campaigning for office came out to Sunday's annual Bethel Democratic town picnic at Bennet Park. Bethel's First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said, "It was a fun family event with positive messages.

Bob Godfrey, Deputy Speaker of the House, was in attendance as well as Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen. Knickerbocker said that Governor Dannel Malloy was invited but could not attend. George Jepsen spoke about consumer protection issues in our state.

Jepsen, along with other local attorneys, recently filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Anthem-Cigna merger claiming that the merger is in violation of antitrust law. "This merger would eliminate significant competition, leaving employers and individual consumers vulnerable to increased costs and providers subject to decreased rates, with few, if any, options to find better alternatives," Jepsen said in a statement.

Also in attendance was Ken Gucker, candidate for 24th District of Connecticut which includes the towns Danbury, Bethel, New Fairfield and Sherman. He said the top issues he hopes to tackle are environmental issues, neighborhood integrity and historic preservation. "People feel like we don't have a voice in Hartford. I've talked to voters and what their concerns are," Gucker told Patch.

Gucker, a longtime member of the Danbury Democratic Town Committee, served as Vice-Chairman for two terms. He said on his website that he's running for Connecticut's 24th Senatorial District because he "has fought long and hard for years to preserve the integrity of our communities, our environment, our history, and our quality of life, I feel it is time to bring this same drive and energy to Hartford."

Raghib Allie-Brennan, 25, a Bethel High School and Marymount Mahattan College graduate, is running for the state's 2nd District which includes Bethel, Danbury, Redding and Newtown. Allie-Brennan told Patch that he is running because he wants "to see change in our district." His platform includes LBGT issues as well as the environment.

"We live in Connecticut so I'm not openly saying that I'm a 'gay candidate,' but I'm not trying to hide it," Allie-Brennan said. While in Washington D.C. he served on the U.S. LGBT Congressional Staff Association as social events chair. The LGBT Congressional Staff Association is "dedicated to helping LGBT staffers succeed on Capitol Hill," the Washington Blade states, and is a "safe and diverse space for any LGBT Capitol Hill staffers looking to meet new people and get advice for their career.”

Allie-Brennan recently served as a volunteer at the Democratic National Convention‬ in Philadelphia and said it was "inspiring and rewarding to have so many conversations with people from all over the country who are committed to keeping this a great country. More than ever, I remain dedicated to public service and to trying to be the change I want to see in the world."

Photos by Wendy Ann Mitchell