Got a minute? (Or 30?) Some people whose names you’ll see on the ballot starting Monday want to tell you something. Like who they are. And why they’re running for statewide offices you might otherwise not notice or think much about. Early voting officially starts Monday for the general election leading up to the Nov. 3 election day. You can cast your vote at City Hall or Southern Connecticut State University for the next two weeks, then at your neighborhood polling place on Nov. 3 itself. (Click here and here for details on when and where to vote, early or otherwise.) In case you would like to hear directly from people seeking offices like comptroller or treasurer or attorney general (not to mention Congress), keep reading/watching. Most of the Democrats, Republicans, and third-party candidates came to WNHH FM’s studio for in-depth one-on-one conversations on the “Dateline New Haven” program about who they are and what they’d like to do if elected. In general, challengers are taking on Democratic incumbents in statewide and federal offices with arguments for more conservative or new approaches to the jobs. Following are videos of the candidates in contested races whose names appear on the ballot making their cases with links to articles (where you see their names hyperlinked) about their candidacies, in case you’d like to know more before heading to vote in a format that differs from paid ads or formal debates. U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro is seeking a 19th two-year term representing New Haven’s Third U.S. Congressional District; she argues that her experience — and her expected re-ascension to House Appropriations chair if fellow Democrats win control of the House of Representatives — will benefit the district and fight back against the Trump administration. Republican Christopher Lancia, Independent Party candidate Tom Egan, and write-in candidate Andrew Rice argue that it’s time for new blood, with Lancia offering a conservative alternative. Attorney General Incumbent Democrat William Tong faces Republican John Bolton. One area of disagreement: Tong’s lawsuits against the Trump administration. State Treasurer Incumbent Democrat Erick Russell of New Haven faces Republican Fred Wilms, a banker, in a race that has included differing opinions on how to rate the office’s record on returns on investment (whether improved returns over the past four years signal the state has turned around a previous longtime sub-par performance, for instance). Comptroller Democratic incumbent Sean Scanlon is asking voters for another term to continue expanding healthcare coverage, while Republican challenger Jen Tooker argues she can serve as a more independent watchdog on state spending. Secretary of the State Democratic incumbent Stephanie Thomas is seeking a second term, arguing she has brought a steady hand improving how elections work amid national chaos. (Republican Peter Lumaj failed to show up twice for scheduled interviews.) Governor Self-funding Democratic incumbent Ned Lamont seeks a third term against Republican challenger Ryan Fazio, who calls for taxing Yale more. (Lamont declined numerous invitations for an interview, though he did appear in July on La Voz Radio’s “K-PASA” to field questions from host Norma Rodriguez-Reyes; Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, whose name appears with his on the ticket, made the case instead in a “Dateline” interview.) New Haven State Legislative Races Most of New Haven’s incumbent Democratic state legislators are running unopposed in this election. Two exceptions: Socialist Rosa Pepper-Macias faces Democrat Al Paolillo (who declined “Dateline” interview invitations) for the east side’s open 11th State Senate District seat; and Democrat Wildaliz Bermudez (shown in a primary-season joint interview with fellow Democrat Leland Moore, whom she defeated) faces Republican Anthony Acri. The post Who Wants Your Vote, Starting Today appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less