Republican Candidates For Governor Debate

With less than a week to go before the primary, the Republican gubernatorial candidates appeared together for one last televised debate. Michael Fedele, Tom Foley and Oz Griebel met for the debate co-hosted by WNPR and WFSB. WNPR’s Tucker Ives has more.

Although each candidate expressed their respect for current Republican Governor Jodi Rell, they tried separating themselves from her. Fedele, her Lieutenant Governor is especially trying to show that his election would not mean four more years of the same type of governing.

“I’m more engaging, I talk to people, I work more in collaborations, I’d work with my commissioners and other folks in the legislature.”

Foley and Griebel both disagreed with Rell's approval of last year’s budget. Foley added that the governor needs to keep all cost-cutting measures available in order to reduce the deficit.

“I would not have agreed to the no-layoffs agreement that the governor made a year ago. You cannot give up the right to reduce the size of the state workforce. We simply cannot afford what we’re doing.”

Despite Griebel’s disagreement with the governor over budget matters, he is still hoping to win her endorsement.

“She’s considering endorsing one of us and the decision will depend on whether she wants to be driven to the polls in Mike’s Ferrari, flown there on Tuesday in Tom’s plane, or ride with me in my 2000 Ford Explorer with 230,000 miles on it. And Governor, I’m available on Tuesday and welcome your endorsement.”

The latest Quinnipiac University poll shows Griebel needing all the help he can get. As of July 15, he has only 7% of Republican support. He’s trailing Fedele who has 13% and Foley with 48% of the vote. New numbers from Quinnipiac are expected later today.

For WNPR, I’m Tucker Ives.