Mark Boughton, Republican: Lt. governor candidate

Friday, 06 August 2010 14:09

Hersam Acorn Newspapers sent out requests to each of the candidates running in the Aug. 10 primary, asking “Why are you the better candidate for office?” Republican Mark Boughton, Danbury’s mayor, is seeking his party’s nomination to run for lieutenant governor. Here is his and statement:

For approximately the last nine years, I have been honored to serve as the mayor of the seventh largest city in the State of Connecticut. During this time, I have led the effort to make Danbury a great place to live, work and be educated in.

Danbury, by any measurement, is a city on the move.

We routinely earn the distinction of being the safest city in Connecticut, we maintain some of the lowest property taxes in the state and we have the lowest unemployment rate in Connecticut.

Just this year, while the State of Connecticut had its bond rating downgraded, the City of Danbury was upgraded to AAA.

I have balanced eight straight budgets and have been able to create efficiencies and reduce cost at every level of our government.

I will work with our next governor to reduce the size and the scope of state government. I will work with our governor to outsource delivery of key services to cut cost and to develop greater efficiencies.

I will help reshape our economic development strategy to focus in on medium and small businesses to help drive innovation, job creation and rekindle our entrepreneurial spirit.

Finally, I will work with our next governor to redesign state government to be more customer friendly and to cut cost.

Cutting cost will be one of the most critical steps that we must take to close the large deficits that is projected in the coming years.

I am ready, willing, and able to take on the challenge of reducing spending.

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

The most important thing to remember when you are casting your ballot on August 10 is that experience counts, experience in government will be critical to drive the change that must take place in our government.

I have the experience and the passion to bring those same skills to our state government. As a former legislator, I will be able to “hit the ground running” because of my insight and understanding to the legislative process.

Our next governor will need somebody at his side who understands the legislative process and understands how to manage large, complex public organizations.

This is not the time to risk your vote on someone who is untested and who will have a steep learning curve.

Ultimately, this election is not about me, or any other candidate. It’s about you, it’s about your family, your neighborhood, your community, your state.

As your next lieutenant governor, I will spend each and every day putting you, and the residents of our state, first.

If you are as angry, fed up and fired up as I am about the direction of our state, then I ask you to join my campaign as we seek to retake Connecticut.