Democrat excited about 8th District race

SIMSBURY — With two Republicans fighting for their party’s nomination to run for Connecticut’s 8th District Senate seat, the Democrat running for the office said he’s happy let the GOP duke it out as he focuses on his own candidacy.

Art House, 65, brings a long résumé of political experience to the 8th District race, having been an advisor to both Sen. Joseph Lieberman and his 2006 challenger, Ned Lamont, as well as Henry Kissinger. His involvement in politics dates back to the 1950s, when he served as an assistant to state senator and eventual governor Abe Ribicoff. In recent years, he has become increasingly concerned about Connecticut’s fiscal affairs.

"I am personally concerned that we have the wealthiest state in the nation and we rank 44th in growth and rank last in ability to retain young people between the ages of 25 and 44," House said in a telephone interview. "If you extrapolate those numbers, Connecticut is in very bad shape."

House was a volunteer firefighter for many years and is now senior vice president of public affairs for Webster Bank. He and his wife, Rita, live in Simsbury with their three daughters, Sophie, Carolyn and Margaret.

"I am running on the economy," House said. "I think it’s time for regional cooperation to reduce property taxes." The candidate also said he believes a Democrat will be able to accomplish more for the 8th District than a Republican can. "If you look at it from the perspective of the voter in the 8th District, wouldn’t you rather have a senator in the majority who has a good shot at getting a vote passed?"

House worked on the campaign of Democrat Steve Berry, who campaigned against four-term incumbent Republican Tom Herlihy in 2006. Herlihy won the race by a slim margin, keeping a Republican hold on the 8th District, but he announced earlier this year that he would not seek a sixth term.

Republicans Moira Wertheimer of Simsbury and Kevin Witkos of Canton have announced they are seeking the GOP nomination to replace Herlihy and they will face off in an Aug. 12 primary (See "Republicans to battle for 8th District seat," May 30). Witkos received the 8th District Republican nomination during a May 13 convention at the New Hartford Senior Center, but Wertheimer captured a large enough percentage of overall votes to force a primary.

House said the Republican battle will have little effect on his candidacy. "First of all you run for office on your own platform, what you want to do, and let the opposition react to you," he said. "I do think people want a change in their senator, especially out in the Winsted area. There are first selectmen and city officials who’ve never met their senator and they don’t feel represented."

Having worked both for Joe Lieberman and Ned Lamont, House said he is a Democrat who has shifted positions through the years. "Joe has always been a close friend and I helped him on his campaign but I think he’s taken steps away from the Democratic Party, particularly by endorsing the Republican nominee for president. I don’t have personal animosity toward him but I am a Democrat and I support the Democratic position."

House added that he is "thrilled" to see Illinois Sen. Barack Obama claim the Democratic nomination for president. "I was a college student when John Kennedy was elected president and I remember the excitement," he said. "I see that excitement all over again. I see the hope, I see the change and I see people being enthusiastic about the United States. I just think it’s an exhilarating time to be in public life."