Dem State Senator Handley to Quit Senate
State Sen. Mary Ann Handley, D-Manchester, announced Friday she will not run for another term, leaving the Fourth State Senate district open to a potential Republican pickup in 2010.
Handley, 73, who was one of most pro-public sector union legislators at the Capitol, sited a desire to enjoy more time in her community. Handley defeated Republican Paul Munns in 1996 by 92 votes and went on to be a reliable vote for the Democratic caucus for seven terms.
Senator Handley’s list of co-sponsored bills is quite long, one bill had the word “Job” in it, but it was for “green jobs” using Federal Stimulus money, read: “Subsidizing Jobs with taxpayer money that would otherwise be a bad business model.” Two bills had the word “Economic” in the title, how ever they had little to do with economic development.
The Fourth District includes Manchester, Glastonbury, Marborough and Bolton. Some of the Republicans mentioned as candidates include Manchester Mayor Lou Spadaccini, Manchester attorney David Blackwell (2008 candidate), Glastonbury veterinarian Stewart “Chip” Beckett, III, (2006 candidate), Glastonbury Town Council President Sue Karp and State Rep. Pam Sawyer, R- Bolton.
Were any Democratic candidates mentioned?
Actually no. I googled it and came up empty. I visited the lefty blogs / sites and again nothing.
Apparently no speculation on who the Dems might run.
Manchester is a heavy Democrat town, I talked with Blackwell after his election loss to Mary Ann Handley, “just too many Democrats in Manchester”. He took Marlborough and Glastonbury and I believe Bolton.
Blackwell might be up for another shot, he would have name recognition.
I hope some good people run, not party hacks, but people with experience in the real world.
The Senior Citizens will miss Mary Ann Handley