Today, Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz called upon disgraced former Minority Leader Louis "Lonney" DeLuca to resign as senator by July 5th in order to allow for his constituents to elect a new State Senator on Nov. 6th and avoid a special election.
From Bysiewicz's press release:
“Sen. DeLuca has violated the public trust and his oath of office,” said Sec. Bysiewicz. “Not only did he break the law by conspiring to threaten someone, he also apparently lied to Federal investigators, and promised his associates that he would use his considerable influence in the General Assembly to help them. Connecticut voters have seen this type of influence peddling before and it has no place in government.”
According to Connecticut General Statute 9-215, if a seat in the General Assembly is vacated anywhere between 49 and 125 days before the next November general election, the election for that seat is held on the date of the general election and a separate special election is avoided. Considering this year’s General Election will be held on Nov. 6th, a separate special election for Sen. DeLuca’s seat can be avoided if he resigns between July 4th and September 18th.
Sen. DeLuca represents the towns of Bethlehem , Bridgewater , Middlebury, Oxford , Roxbury, Seymour , Southbury, Thomaston, Watertown , and Woodbury.
“Sen. DeLuca can spare his constituents in 10 towns the considerable cost of holding separate special elections if he does the right thing and resigns before September 18th,” said Sec. Bysiewicz.
According to state statute, “When any member or member-elect of the General Assembly resigns, the member or member-elect shall resign by notifying the Secretary of the State of the member's or member-elect's decision…” Sec. Bysiewicz urges Sen. DeLuca to consider what’s best for his constituents and the electoral process, “It is my hope that Sen. DeLuca will send the Secretary of the State’s Office his letter of resignation now, and make it effective July 5th to give voters – and potential candidates - adequate time to prepare for the Nov. election.
“As Connecticut ’s chief elections official, I travel across the state urging people to vote and to resist being cynical about their government,” said Bysiewicz. “My task is much more difficult everyday that Lou DeLuca remains a State Senator. It is my responsibility and obligation to speak out.”
As a follow-up to this post, here's a report from WTNH on the pressure DeLuca is receiving at the State Capitol.
04.25.22 (RADIO): WSHU Latino group call on Connecticut lawmakers to open a Danbury charter school
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On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.
Today, Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz called upon disgraced former Minority Leader Louis "Lonney" DeLuca to resign as senator by July 5th in order to allow for his constituents to elect a new State Senator on Nov. 6th and avoid a special election.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
