In Foley vs. Malloy, It's Fairfield County by a Landslide

While Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley and Democratic opponent Dan Malloy are miles apart politically, the two are a bit closer on at least one count: both call lower Fairfield County home.

And that, according to political observers, is no trivial distinction. It's been 15 years since the last governor to hail from this part of the state, Greenwich's Lowell Weicker, left office. 

As a result, a disconnect has emerged between Hartford and Fairfield County, said Gary Rose, chairman of Sacred Heart University's Government and Politics Department. The upcoming election may narrow that divide, he said.

"In many ways, Fairfield County is regarded by the rest of the state as a suburb of New York: many people who live in the area work in New York City, and pay taxes to both New York and Connecticut," Rose said.

"By most accounts, Fairfield County is probably the least connected of the eight Connecticut counties to Hartford," he added. "I think you'll find many people in Fairfield County are more concerned with the decisions being made in Albany or by New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg."

Malloy, former mayor of Stamford, and Foley, a Greenwich businessman, have both lived the "Fairfield County experience," Rose said, giving them a special understanding of highway congestion and other key issues affecting the area.

Rose, who has authored several books on Connecticut politics, said Malloy's mayoral experience in particular could lend a sensitivity to the achievement gap between students in urban and suburban areas. 

"Having a governor coming from Fairfield County will be interesting to observe in the coming years," Rose added.

Chris DeSanctis, a fellow teacher political science at Sacred Heart University, said a Fairfield County resident occupying the governor's mansion will be an asset to the region, possibly in the form of more aggressive action on mass transit and congestion issues.

"Our next governor also will be familiar with the troubles that face Metro-North," said DeSanctis, who earlier this year lost a bid for the GOP nomination in the 132nd House district.

"In light of the traffic issues which confront this part of the state, and our next governor's familiarity with these issues, it would not be surprising if Dan Malloy or Tom Foley devote a considerable amount of time, energy, and resources toward improving transportation in this area of Connecticut," DeSanctis said. "The development of a light rail system in Southern Connecticut could be the end result."

Malloy said that he would invest in mass transportation as governor and that he hopes to see commuter lines developed between New Haven and Springfield, Danbury and Milford, and New London and Worcester. 

"That ultimately has the potential to boost our economy," Malloy added.

The Democratic nominee said he also wants to work toward a mass transit system in the region that would resemble New York City's 24-hour network.

Malloy said he would consider restoring tolls to the state, but only if the revenue was used for transportation investment and kept out of the hands of the General Assembly.

Foley, however, said he's dead set against the implementation of tolls in Connecticut, likening them to another tax burden for the state's residents.

"Tax and spend policies have proved that they don't work," Foley said.

Foley said his administration would invest in transportation infrastructure to help grow jobs, but that he would want to see greater local control in any such development.

CT Rail Commuter Council Chairman Jim Cameron said he doesn't envy the next governor, who will be charged with making a multitude of tough decisions. 

Though Cameron said the council doesn't delve into party politics, he urged citizens to keep asking the gubernatorial candidates hard questions about transportation. 

"We need to keep them front and center and we need ask for specific answers, not lip service. We often hear from candidates, 'We need to expand train service.' That is just a platitude. We need to know specifics," he said.

One local issue Cameron raised is the lack of parking at Metro-North stations, where waiting lists are several years in Westport.

"The next governor really needs to focus on that," he said.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch told Patch he wants a governor who will invest in the state's cities, create urban jobs, fix infrastructure, and invest in transportation. 

"Fifty years ago, John F. Kennedy said a strong America depends on cities," said Finch, a Democrat. "Another president also said cities are not the problem but the solution."

Finch said the state has been "tone deaf" when it comes to cities such as Bridgeport.

"Votes come from the suburbs and suburbs elect candidates, and it really takes that leap of leadership to recognize that building up our cities solves many of our state's economic and even environmental issues," added Finch, who also served in the State Senate until he was elected mayor in 2008.

Finch, who backed Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont during the primary, is now supporting Malloy.

"We need someone with a list of accomplishments, and there are a lot of cranes in Stamford," he said.