EHGAZETTE

For East Hartford State Senator Gary D. LeBeau, the handwriting was on the wall, or rather, in his campaign war chest. In four months of "exploring" a candidacy for "statewide office" he had managed to raise $38,000.

And, although he decided to ease back on the campaign throttle Monday in his campaign for "statewide office" - governor, as everyone anticipated - his 'exploratory committee' is just on a hiatus - they may have something to do this fall, just inside the 3rd Senatorial District.

With the prospect of public campaign financing this year, raising more to qualify for $1 or $2 million more might have been realistic for the retired East Hartford High School Civics teacher. But when a judge struck down the state's public campaign financing law - with two bona fide multi-millionaires already declaring they have no use for those dollars or accepting its limits - he also dropped his gavel on LeBeau's outside chance to win.

Still, the senator was upbeat about the experience, and interested in maintaining his position in the State Senate - although he can't outright declare he is seeking re-election to the seat he has held for 14 years.

Asked why he had dropped out so soon in what is sure to be a drawn-out battle for the Democrats and Republicans, the senator said the entry of Ned Lamont into the race made it clear that money would decide who received the party nomination.

"It is going to be very difficult to win. He's a multi-millionaire. On the Republican side (Tom) Foley has said he will spend $10 million. Lamont can match that. A schoolteacher from East Hartford doesn't have a chance."

Senator LeBeau added that he likes Lamont, and thinks "he's a pretty good candidate" but did not out-and-out endorse his candidacy. He added that, before the turn of events that saw Chris Dodd declare he would step down, and Dick Blumenthal declare he was running, and Susan Byciewicz say she would forgo the governors office for a shot at Attorney General, the field was "bumped around" with Lamont finally entering the ring.

"It would have been unfair not to allow the other candidates to start running for the state senate seat," said LeBeau, another reason for his decision. Plus he has seen his platform become absorbed by the leaders of the house and senate.

"I feel very good about my role in the senate, and just today we held two press conferences on economy and jobs creation. The Democratic position is virtually what I have been saying in my campaign, what I have said for the last year now," noted LeBeau.

The following is Gary LeBeau's e-mailed note to his supporters:

"Thank you for your support and encouragement!
"Dear Friend:

"With deep regret and strong sense of achievement, I am ending my bid for the Democratic nomination for Governor. I thank you and my many supporters who have given me encouragement, advice, time and donations over the past 12 months. I am wiser and wealthier as a result of this experience and you are a key reason.

"While disappointed that my gubernatorial campaign has ended, I feel stronger and more energized by the strong support that you and hundreds of others have given to me. I hope to continue to work with you on issues that concern you. Please stay in contact with me.

"You know, last year I started this campaign with the idea that jobs and Connecticut's economic future are the most important challenges facing our state. At that time, I, - drawing on my many years of experience chairing the legislative Commerce Committee -- was virtually the only one saying this. Now, every candidate has recognized the importance of this issue. I will continue to fight for a more competitive and prosperous Connecticut, most likely by seeking reelection as state senator."

The remaining Democrats, in addition to Malloy and Lamont, include: Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi, Juan Figueroa, former Universal Health Care Foundation president, Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman and former House Speaker James Amann, who is the only declared candidate. The remaining field are still exploring a run.

On the Republican side, Foley is joined by Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, former U.S. Rep. Lawrence DeNardis and Hartford Metro-Aliance executive R. Nelson ‘Oz' Griebel with Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton expected to announce in the near future.

The same day LeBeau and a large group of legislators, led by House Majority Leader Denise Merrill and Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney - announced a series of recommendations designed to jump-start job creation in Connecticut and lay the foundation for long-term prosperity.

The "Majority Leaders' Job Growth Roundtable report" calls for a series of initiatives aimed at business innovation and entrepreneurship, infrastructure, government efficiencies and education to spur job creation and economic development. All were key areas of focus for Senator LeBeau's Commerce Committee for the last few sessions in Hartford - and reasons why he launched his campaign, attacking incumbent M. Jodi Rell before she would later decide to withdraw from seeking another term in office. Her decision opened up the race for Republicans, brought more interest from Democrats, and cast LeBeau's strategy in a whole new light for party leaders.

And so the Democratic party leaders embraced initiatives first outlined by the East Hartford Democrat as "the surest path toward providing a positive climate in Connecticut for economic development, creating quality jobs that can be sustained, and ensuring that there will be skilled workers available to fill those jobs."

"This report is probably the most significant economic development document that Connecticut has seen in 20 years," said Sen. LeBeau, a key member of the group who is also Senate Chairman of the Commerce Committee. "This is a document for the future of Connecticut. It's not just about today, but about tomorrow and the day after tomorrow."

Key recommendations include:

Invest at all stages of business growth, utilizing bonding, investor tax credits, state pension funds and private equity funds; reinvigorate industry clusters; provide export assistance to companies
Realign selected tax credits; create a more seamless, easily accessed government process
Invest in mass transit; "incent" energy efficiencies and green energy job creation, and educate a workforce for in-demand jobs.

"We believe these urgent measures need to be acted on in order to improve our economic competiveness," said Sen. Looney. "We must reorganize Connecticut's economic development agencies, restructure tax credits, and offer incentives to small businesses, all with one goal in mind - grow jobs."

"For too long, Connecticut has taken a ‘business as usual' approach to job retention and job creation," Rep. Merrill said. "We need the kind of strategic vision and systematic approach to economic development that can provide our state and its residents with the prosperity and security that all deserve. We must take full advantage of the many assets we have in our state. We need to make Connecticut competitive again. It is clear that ‘business as usual' will no longer work."

Details can be found in the full report at www.housedems.ct.gov/jobgrowth.