CT-04: More Richter Rumblings

According to the Yale Daily News, CT State Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo has confirmed earlier rumors that former New York Rangers superstar Mike Richter is considering a run against frequently embattled Republican Rep. Chris Shays in Connecticut’s 4th district.

Maura over at My Left Nutmeg has more:

Multiple sources throughout the district had mentioned to me that Richter would be meeting with some local party chairs this week, so I called Nancy DiNardo for her comments this afternoon.

During our conversation, Nancy confirmed that she’ll be introducing Richter, who lives in Guilford, to DTC chairs during one of their regular 4th CD district chairs’ meetings on Thursday night.

Nancy met with Mike earlier this year about his  possible run and told me, “He would make a great candidate.  He’s passionate about the issues and the direction of the country.”

At this point, only one other possible candidate in the 4th has indicated to Nancy an interest in running.  Other names that have been mentioned online and in print – State Senator Andrew McDonald from Stamford, Senator Bob Duff from Norwalk, and State Rep. Jim Shapiro from Stamford – have not yet spoken up to indicate an interest.  Former State Party chair George Jepsen, who is relocating back to the 4th, has ruled out a run against Shays, and Ned Lamont has said that he is “disinclined” to run.  Nancy is encouraging all other prospective candidates to speak up and begin work on a campaign soon.

One thing’s for sure–Nancy’s right.  Now is not the time for prospective opponents to Shays to doddle.  They’ll need every precious month between now and November 2008 to scrape together the necessary resources and build a field team strong enough to finally topple Shays.  It’s no secret that I would relish the opportunity to have Shays go head-to-head with one of the greatest American goaltenders in NHL history, but he’ll need to hit the ground running in terms of organizing.

And one more thing: when do you think Chris Shays will get his own action figure?  (Hat tip to Scarce .)

Race Tracker: CT-04

9 thoughts on “CT-04: More Richter Rumblings”

  1. He is the best American goaltender ever.  Period.  It’ll be strange to cheer for Richter but hey if it gets rid of Shays I’m game.

  2. I am all for him running. 

    I think he represents an excellent chance at making New England’s Congressional delegation 22-0 Democratic.  That is a lot more Democratic than Texas is Republican.

    He should be an excellent candidate for a district that is rather blue, to say the least.  His athletic status should be the bump needed to get him over the top.

    Oh, by the way, I must throw out some names:  How about the all time great, Jacques Plante?  And what of the two great Flyers goalies, Bernie Parent, or Pellie Lindberg?  Does Richter really rank higher than those three?

  3. It’s Jim Himes, the chairman of Greenwich, CT’s Democratic Town Committee.  He’s serious about running and has been quietly discussing his candidacy with a number of prominent Dems in the Nutmeg State.  And he’s lined up several supporters, too.

    Jim is a Havard graduate, a Rhodes Scholar, and spent several years as a senior investment banker with Goldman Sachs.  Jim was also there for Ned Lamont from the very beginning, helping him recruit supporters. 

    Since leaving Goldman Sachs, he has been working in the non-profit sector promoting affordable housing.  In addition to revitalizing the Greenwich DTC, he’s also served on the town finance committee (board of estimates and taxation), and recently stepped down from heading the town’s housing authority.  A fluent Spanish speaker who’s lived in Central America, Jim Himes would appeal to all of Southwestern Connecticut’s residents and voters. 

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