GOP primary: Dean, Garber face off for attorney general

The Republican ticket for Connecticut attorney general will be selected on Primary Day, Aug. 10. Vying for the Republican spot are two attorneys: Martha Dean of Avon, who received the endorsement at the Republican convention, and Ross Garber of Glastonbury. Whoever wins will face Democrat George Jepsen in November and could become the first GOP attorney general since 1959.

When asked why she would make the best candidate for attorney general, Ms. Dean said she would bring a “fresh perspective” to the office. “I am an experienced lawyer who is not swayed by political considerations. Unlike my opponents, I have no ties to past failed administrations or to failed legislative policies.” She said her decisions would be based on the law, “relying on knowledge, integrity, and common sense.”

As attorney general, Mr. Garber said, he will focus on the fundamentals of the office: “to advise state officials and agencies on how to comply with the law; to represent the state in court; and to enforce the state’s civil laws, including those that protect consumers from unscrupulous business practices, preserve the environment, and ensure that antitrust violations do not stifle competition.

“An attorney general’s success should not be measured in lawsuits filed or press conferences held,” he continued.

Ms. Dean, who made headlines earlier this year when she publicly advocated firearms training for school children, is now focusing on the issue of leadership. “Connecticut is in a crisis,” she said. “Crises demand excellent leadership because there is no room for politics, political correctness, or mere feel-good solutions. Excellent leaders deal with facts and reality... They are able to discern what’s right and map out and implement a pragmatic course of action. Over my career, I have demonstrated my willingness to take on tough assignments and to do what is right, rather than what is convenient.”

Ms. Dean, who has run her own legal practice for 16 years, has practiced in Connecticut for 22 years. She has earned the endorsements of the Tea Parties of Fairfield County, which includes the Greenwich-Stamford, Norwalk, Fairfield, Bridgeport, and Stratford Tea Parties; as well as the endorsement of former State of Connecticut Secretary of the State Pauline Kezer, and the grass-roots organization Right Principles, which focuses on individual freedoms, fiscal restraint, and limited government.

As attorney general, Mr. Garber said, “I will aggressively pursue those who break the law, but I will also work with businesses, individuals and office holders to make sure the law is not broken in the first place. I will streamline operations of the office to do my share to reduce the cost and size of state government. I will focus on being a good attorney general, not a successful politician.”

Mr. Garber, who served as chief legal counsel to two governors, is a partner with the law firm of Shipman & Goodwin, focusing on government investigations and ethics. He has been endorsed by State Senator Andrew Roraback of Goshen, State Rep. Livvy Floren of Greenwich and Stamford, and Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei, among others.

Information: rossgarber.com and marthadeanforattorneygeneral.com.

The comments in this article were taken from statements presented by the candidates to The Wilton Bulletin. The full text of those statements may be viewed below.

Ross Garber

Ross Garber is a partner with the law firm of Shipman & Goodwin. He focuses on government investigations and ethics. Ross is a Connecticut native and graduate of the UConn law school and has held a variety of public service positions.

Ross Garber’s statement in response to the question: Why are you the better candidate for the Connecticut Attorney General’s seat?

For too long one political party has controlled the office of attorney general. During the nearly 50 years they have controlled the office, Democrats have succeeded in changing the role of the attorney general. It has become a post from which ambitious lawyer/politicians take an activist approach to change public policy, by going around both the legislature and the governor, to promote personal political agendas.

This is not the proper role of an attorney general.

The attorney general is Connecticut’s chief civil legal officer. It is his job to advise state officials and agencies on how to comply with the law; to represent the state in court; and to enforce the state’s civil laws, including those that protect consumers from unscrupulous business practices, preserve the environment, and ensure that antitrust violations do not stifle competition.

These fundamentals are what the office must focus on if we are to restore integrity and fairness. Unfortunately, both my Republican opponent in the Aug. 10 primary and the Democratic nominee have very different visions of the role of attorney general. They have clearly stated their intention to use the office to aggressively pursue social policy. This approach will continue the expansion of government in Connecticut and stifle the creation of jobs.

The misuse of the Attorney General’s Office has led in part to Connecticut’s current reputation as a place where it is difficult to start and grow a business. An attorney general’s success should not be measured in lawsuits filed or press conferences held.

As attorney general, I will aggressively pursue those who break the law, but I will also work with businesses, individuals and officeholders to make sure the law is not broken in the first place. I will streamline operations of the office to do my share to reduce the cost and size of state government. I will focus on being a good Attorney General, not a successful politician.

Having served as chief legal counsel to two governors, and having defended many clients in actions taken by the office of attorney general, I know I am well qualified to manage the office and improve its performance beginning on day one.

I am a Connecticut native and graduated with honors from the University of Connecticut and the UConn School of Law. I have spent most of my legal career focusing on government investigations and ethics and am currently a partner with the law firm of Shipman and Goodwin. Integrity in government is something I take very seriously.

For more information on my campaign and where I stand on the issues, I invite you to visit my Web site: www.rossgarber.com.

If you are a Republican, I ask for your vote in the Aug. 10 primary. If you will be out of town that day, please contact your local town hall for information on an absentee ballot. Thank you.

Martha Dean

Martha Dean has practiced law in Connecticut for the past 22 years, running her own practice for the past 16 years. Ms. Dean also worked at Robinson & Cole and the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Ms. Dean is a graduate of Wellesley College, and the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Martha Dean's statement in answer to the question: Why are you the better candidate for the Connecticut Attorney General’s seat?

As the Republican-endorsed candidate, I bring a fresh perspective to the attorney general’s office. I am an experienced lawyer who is not swayed by political considerations. Unlike my opponents, I have no ties to past failed administrations or to failed legislative policies. As attorney general, I will make decisions based on the law, relying on knowledge, integrity, and common sense.

In choosing an attorney general, voters are not hiring a “lawyer” per se, but a leader of an office already staffed with some 200 lawyers. This race is not about electing an experienced politician, since Hartford is full of experienced politicians who have brought Connecticut to its knees. The race for attorney general is also not about left or right — it’s about right and wrong.

I have devoted my career to representing law-abiding businesses and individuals. I help clients navigate complex regulatory schemes, successfully challenge inappropriate government action, and recoup losses, while furthering their economic and individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution. I have fought for consumers all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, and my cases have established national precedents.

As the owner of a law practice, I bring to the attorney general’s office an understanding of the importance of using resources wisely and knowledge of how to do more with less.

In 2002, I was the Republican nominee for attorney general. My message of economic opportunity and fair and just law enforcement inspired a surge of 50,000 new voters to the Attorney General’s race, giving me the strongest showing of any Republican who has run against incumbent Richard Blumenthal over his twenty years in office.

Connecticut is in a crisis. Crises demand excellent leadership because there is no room for politics, political correctness, or mere feel-good solutions. Excellent leaders deal with facts and reality. They can communicate what needs to be done to get others on board. They are able to discern what’s right and map out and implement a pragmatic course of action. Over my career, I have demonstrated my willingness to take on tough assignments and to do what is right, rather than what is convenient.

As your attorney general, I will not bow to political pressure, political considerations, or polls. I promise to focus the priorities of the office on preventing and rectifying real harm to the state and consumers, while eliminating from the pending backlog of 36,000 cases all meritless lawsuits. I will focus the attorney general’s office on upholding the Constitution and preventing the state from trampling on citizens most basic rights.

By voting for me as Connecticut’s next attorney general, Connecticut’s citizens get more than an experienced and skilled lawyer; they get a leader who’s dedicated to what’s right, and who will resolve to ensure that every decision made in the office is focused on upholding the law in a way that restores Connecticut’s economic health. As your attorney general, I will never forget that I am a public servant, dedicated to serving you.