Connecticut Gubernatorial Election - Essay Example

Connecticut gubernatorial election, Introduction The Connecticut gubernatorial elections are set to takeplace on November 4, 2014. The aims of the elections are to elect a governor and the lieutenant governor. The elections run in concurrence with the United States elections for the senate and House of Representatives. There are also other various elections for different seats in the United States. The incumbent democratic governor Dannel Malloy has declared interests for the position in the forthcoming elections. This is the second time he is running making it his second term if he succeeds. There is a difference in how elections are held in Connecticut. Unlike most states, elections are held separately for the positions of governor and lieutenant governor. The winners get a chance to run together on the same tickets. History has it that Malloy and the incumbent lieutenant governor, Nancy Wyman, were re-nominated. There are several people running for the governor position such as Visconti Joe running as an independent candidate and Thomas Foley. The incumbent governor and the incumbent Lieutenant were nominated meaning there were no primaries held. In his statement, Malloy said that he was going to run again for the position. He assured the people that his campaign would be about the people. He emphasizes on the work they have done together over the last three years. He insisted that the campaign is all about the things that his leadership backed by the people need to accomplish in the next coming term (Yazbak A19). Malloy is currently fifty-eight years of age. He stands to be the first democratic governor to seek re-election in Connecticut (Yazbak A19). He is running against his core competitor for the Republican Party, Tom Foley. He defeated Tom in the 2010 elections by a margin of 6404 votes. Malloy is hardly beginning his campaign from scratch. The Democratic Party has collected $2.3 million since January 2013 in preparation for the election. The money is going to help the party to organize an active campaign in a bid to reach as many voters as possible in order to create a positive impact to all the voters (Murphy). Already Malloy and the organizing team for the campaign have named those to take key positions in the campaign trail. Malloy reassured his candidature since February when he embraced president Obama’s effort for minimum wage to be set at $10.10. He ensured that the agenda is set as a priority for the 2014 campaign (Murphy). Carefully scrutinizing any other polls conducted in the last several months, there is no particular one where Malloy is above 50% of the total polls. Even so, he enjoys several advantages as opposed to his core competitor from the Republican Party. One of the key benefits he enjoys is the unity that beholds his party (Sullivan). The party is also well-funded and well-organized even to the low-level management positions. In the history of elections, democrats form the majority of elected members of the various positions. They hold most of the statewide offices and almost every congressional seat. They have the majority of the seats in the General Assembly. The gubernatorial position is hotly contested by five members of different parties (Sullivan). Malloy has some weaknesses. The biggest of this weakness starts with the economy. Since he took power, the employment rate has gone down. Statistics indicate that the last seven months have seen a fall in 7 percent. He has spent heavily on economic aid. He has also made a considerable improvement on bioscience. He has stirred an expansion of the university of Connecticut health center. He has also invested heavily on the subsidy of a private genetic research facility, The Jackson Laboratory (Murphy). He was elected on presentation of the first five programs that he campaigned on achieving. Major companies benefit from the series of incentives. The inducements have solidified the commitment of some corporations to Connecticut. Consequently, the same have criticized him and accused him on grounds of offering corporate welfare. There are several issues the incumbent governor is advocating in his bid for re-election. Among the issues are health, infrastructure, education, and public safety (Katz & Jennifer 12). Healthcare Statistics indicate that the healthcare system of the larger United States is in bad shape. In Connecticut, researchers suggest that the healthcare system exposes patients to vulnerability. Patients are dying every day in big numbers due to the weakness of infections, mortality and the million procedures done yet they do not need to be done (Busemeyer 1). The employers and other purchasers using this care do not have faith in it. His campaign manual indicates the five significant challenges in the health department and seeks for another term in office in order to see to it that these problems are solved once and for all (Busemeyer 1). The first issue the incumbent governor mentions is too much care witnessed in the health facilities. He stipulates that overuse and unnecessary care accounts for almost a third of all healthcare costs. These costs translate to millions of dollars added to the half-a-trillion dollars per year attributed to lost productivity and disability. The second problem he elaborates on is the avoidable harm to patients (Fred & Lee c6). Statistics indicates that out of four admitted beneficiaries of Medicare one suffers from a form of infliction during their stay. The problem of early elective deliveries is a collective harm to many mothers United States and more so, in Connecticut. The babies born in this manner are at a greater risk of death. They also risk other forms of damage such as respiratory problems. Malloy admits that over the period he has been in power these problems still persisted (Sullivan). However, he is determined to implement the second phase of his policies in order to ensure that these problems are eliminated or brought to minimal levels. Another impending problem is on the amount of money being lost. Statistics indicates that a third of the medical costs are wasted (Yazbak A19). Another imminent danger is the perverse incentives in how care is paid. As observed, health plans such as the Medicare and Medicaid pay providers for services they deliver. This happens regardless of whether the services truly benefit the patient. Some systems are found to be losing on policies. An example is that some payment systems encourage such issues like elective deliveries (Yazbak A19). The fifth and last factor is the lack of transparency. The governor in sitting stated that transparency is the tool of galvanizing change (Yazbak A19). The solution page said that once he is re-elected, he will ensure that all systems and strategies are put in place to cut on all the shortcomings in the health sector. He stated that this leadership team will ensure that purchasers and consumers keep up the pressure in order to stir up real change. He is attributed for ensuring that the healthcare system runs smoothly (Murphy). Public Safety During his tenure, he ensured that he passed the new gun control legislation. The move was partly triggered by the shootings that took place in the Sandy Hook school. He puts forward a strategy that will enable the legislature to create laws that will ensure the public safety comes first (Katz & Jennifer 12). His initiative is to see that the new legislation is put in place to combat domestic violence and improve school safety. The governor aims at developing a proposal for new laws that will prohibit any residents who have temporary restraining order to possess firearms (Katz & Jennifer 12). He assures the residents that he will develop a funding system that is aimed at improving the safety infrastructure and implement additional training. The plan is made a top priority protect the most vulnerable from becoming victims of violence. In his tenure, with the help of his leadership team have developed stringent measures to deal with crime (Fred & Lee c6). Consequently, crime rates have dropped. His agenda for the next term is to work extra hard in developing and putting systems to ensure every family in Connecticut feels safe both at home and other localities. Most sources indicate that Malloy has made real progress in developing a safer state (Yazbak A19). His leadership is complimented for the lower levels of crime attained during their tenure. One of his successes is working with the police to launch Project longevity. The project aimed at improving the community policing strategies in the urban neighborhoods (Yazbak A19). Infrastructure The governor has invested tremendously in improving infrastructure. Infrastructure improvement comes as a basic necessity that will facilitate the development in ensuring public safety (Fred & Lee c6). Malloy is committed to jump-starting the Connecticut economy. His plan includes putting in place an economic development strategy that will foster job growth. He assures the citizens that if re-elected, he will continue to push for a federal grant launched in his tenure. The grand will be used in the design and replacement of railroads, line walks and bridges (Fred & Lee c6). Some transport problems are attributed to the poor infrastructure. For instance, train delays are caused by the weak bridges that are not up-to-date with the current technology. He urges citizens to re-elect him so that he can continue the completion of such projects. He stipulates that the Walk Bridge and the New Haven line are importance to the entire Northeast Corridor (Murphy). Citizens of Connecticut understand the importance of these facilities. During summers, many people face enough frustrations amounting from disruptions coming from the commuter lines. He ensures the voters that his next term will be one to complete the development of such projects for the betterment of the people. Malloy stated that the state of Connecticut had applied for a $600 million in order to fund the federal transportation systems (Busemeyer 1). The funding is directed at covering the capital costs of three resiliency projects that are central to Connecticut’s commuter rail infrastructure. He also said that the state had won $9 million that will assist in developing and upgrading the power system at the New Haven Rail Yard. The yard acts as a maintenance field for Connecticut rail cars (Katz & Jennifer 12). His manifesto assures the citizens that the funding dedicated for infrastructure will go a long way to improving it. It will be used to harden the resiliency of the infrastructure in order to make the people feel safe and rely on rail for transport (Katz & Jennifer 12). The agenda of his re-election bid is to establish a separate drive system. The drive system will open and close the movable pieces of rail that lock bridge into place (Katz & Jennifer 12). Energy Strategy Malloy unveiled a comprehensive policy designed to improve the efficiency of power in Connecticut. The energy efficiency strategy is designed to improve efficiency opportunities for all citizens. He aims at providing greater access to a variety of fuels for heat and power (Murphy). The strategy is harnessed towards developing lower energy costs and better protects the environment and natural resources. The strategy includes making cleaner burning lower-cost natural gas available to more than 250000 residents (Fred & Lee c6). It is expected to cover more than 75 percent in the next seven years. The strategy has mechanisms to examine the renewable portfolio standards. The energy efficiency strategy plans to reach different sectors of the economy and all buildings in the entire region. The strategies also aim at advancing information technology opportunities. For example, the plan will see to it that there is an introduction of a smart grid and meters (Fred & Lee c6). The power sector strategy aims at providing cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable electricity. Malloy states that he intends to indulge the private sector in bringing the energy efficiencies. There needs to be economic competitiveness and growth in Connecticut. Consequently, the approach will give a room for increased focus on the manufacturing sector (Fred & Lee c6). Education The governor cited that the recent years have seen the education results stagnating in the entire region. He promises to deliver change to the education sector in a bid to bettering the education standards. His primary strategy is to enhance families’ access to high-quality early childhood education opportunities (Yazbak A19). He aims at expanding the availability of high-quality schools including traditional schools, magnets, charters and others. He also aims at unleashing innovation by removing red tape and other barriers to success, for example, in high-performing schools and districts (Yazbak A19). Conclusion From his strategies, he is determined to capture the seat for another term. His primary motivation is to complete the development plans he had begun and further create more opportunities. Even so, he has a challenge because statistics indicates that Connecticut is facing the worst economy in the nation. The unemployment rates have risen significantly. Works Cited Busemeyer, Stephen. "Re-Electing Malloy Gives State Best Chance For Progress." Gov. Dannel P. Malloy Is The Courant Editorial Boards Endorsed Candidate for Governor. (Brad Horrigan / Hartford Courant) 24 Oct. 2014: 3. Hartford Courant. Web. Fred, Klein, & Lee, Holfman."EDITORIAL: Choose Mayor Dan Malloy.(Editorial)." Hartford Courant 30 July 2006. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. . Katz, Bruce, and Jennifer Bradley. The Metropolitan Revolution How Cities and Metros Are Fixing Our Broken Politics and Fragile Economy. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution, 2013. Print. Murphy, Chris. "Friday: Gov. Malloy Unveils States Comprehensive Energy Strategy." States News Service 4 Oct. 2012. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. . Peter, Yazbak. "Obamacare Here to Stay, Governors Conclude." Daily Herald 24 Feb. 2014. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. . Sullivan, Sean. "Alex Sink Says Charlie Crist Would Be A Disaster as Democratic Nominee." The Washington Post 19 June 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. . Read More