Republicans Boughton, Wilson-Foley vie for lieutenant governor nomination

Written by Rachel Kirkpatrick, Hersam Acorn Newspapers

Republicans Mark Boughton, Danbury's mayor, and Lisa Wilson-Foley, a Connecticut business owner, are seeking the party's nomination in the Aug. 10 primary to run for lieutenant governor.

When considering his credentials for lieutenant governor, candidate Boughton turns to his last nine years as major of Danbury, the seventh largest city in Connecticut.

“During this time, I have led the effort to make Danbury a great place to live, work and be educated in,” Mr. Boughton said. “Danbury, by any measurement, is a city on the move.”

Having balanced eight straight budgets, Mr. Boughton said he has been able to “create efficiencies and reduce costs at every level” of the city government. Danbury, he said, has the lowest property taxes and lowest unemployment rate in the state.

He plans to take this approach to Hartford, working with the next governor to “reduce the size and scope” of the state government, and outsource delivery of “key” services to cut costs and develop “greater efficiencies.”

After earning a master’s degree from Western Connecticut State University, Mr. Boughton served as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve from 1983 to 1989 and taught social studies at Danbury High School for 14 years.

Mr. Boughton served three years as Connecticut’s 138th District state representative, during which time he was a ranking member of the Environment Committee and a member of the Education Committee.

Mr. Boughton said he will help reshape the state’s economic development strategy to focus on medium and small businesses. He will also work with the next governor to “redesign” the government to be more “customer-friendly.”

One of the most critical steps the state must take is to close the large deficits projected in the coming years, a challenge to reduce spending he said he is ready to take. The next governor, he said, will need someone with an understanding of the legislative process and experience in managing “large, complex public organizations.”

“This election is one of the most important ones in our lifetime,” Mr. Boughton said. “During the next 18 months the future of our state hangs in the balance.”

With experience running 10 businesses in 20 years, Ms. Wilson-Foley said she believes in basic business practices, such as strategic planning, efficiency and accountability.

If elected lieutenant governor, Ms. Wilson-Foley plans to put her experience to work, placing “new emphasis” on controlling state spending and reducing the “unnecessary” burdens placed on businesses, as well as cities and towns.

Ninety percent of all new jobs created over the last 10 years were from companies with fewer than 50 employees, Ms. Wilson-Foley said.

“We need to look at what we can do to reduce the red tape and reinforce the economic engine that is small business,” she said.

Ms. Wilson-Foley said she has the right skill set to be a successful “co-pilot” in Hartford. She is well-versed in the area of health care, having received a master’s degree in public health from Yale, and said she “works well with people.”

As the current owner of three businesses — Allstar Therapy, a rehabilitation company, Blue Fox Entertainment, a family entertainment and sports company, and Swallowing Diagnostics, a medical testing company — she manages 500 employees on a daily basis. She has also filled a variety of roles through her involvement with nonprofit organizations and charity events, she said.

Ms. Wilson-Foley said she is prepared to offer Connecticut a fresh perspective, and has “the courage” to make “tough decisions to get us on the right path.”

Ms. Wilson-Foley grew up in Unionville and has lived in Connecticut most of her life. She lives on a small farm in Simsbury.

“My roots are deep in Connecticut soil, not politics,” the candidate said. “I want to help make Connecticut the state it was when I was growing up — a great place to start a business, raise a family, and enjoy a quality of life.”