-• NEWS                       • SUBMIT NEWS
-• COUPONS
-• CLASSIFIEDS • SUBMIT CLASSIFIED
-• YELLOW PAGES
-• OPINION               • SUBMIT OPINION
-• ANNOUNCEMENTS         • SUBMIT
-• SPORTS                  ANNOUNCEMENT
-• ARTS
-• BUSINESS
-• POLITICS
-• EDUCATION
-• HEALTH
-• EVENTS                   • SUBMIT EVENT
-• PHOTOS               • SUBMIT PHOTOS
-• ARCHIVES
-• ADVERTISING
-• WIN-TV

Windsor Democratic chairman Canty to seek vacant 15th House seat
JOURNAL INQUIRER
Leo Canty has worn several hats as an activist, union leader, and chairman of the Democratic Town Committee.

Now he's hoping to wear a new one representing Windsor and Bloomfield in the General Assembly.

Canty is seeking the Democratic nomination to run for the seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Faith P. McMahon, D-Bloomfield.

Undaunted by the challenge facing the legislature, Canty said he sees great opportunity for the state to come out of the economic crisis and make decisions that will benefit Connecticut in the long term.

"The reality is that I am excited about the possibility of being involved in one of the most significant legislative sessions in decades," Canty said.

McMahon, 65, succumbed to cancer last week. She had served the 15th House District for three terms, had been mayor of Bloomfield for 10 years, and was a teacher in Windsor for 35 years.

This week, the governor is expected to announce a special election for McMahon's seat.

The Windsor Democratic Town Committee is meeting Thursday to endorse a candidate for the position. The next step is a nominating convention with Bloomfield Democrats, which Canty expects would take place within two weeks.

Canty said he decided to run after McMahon was laid to rest and since then has been busy rallying support. He will need to swing at least two convention delegates from Bloomfield in order to win the nomination.

The entire election is likely to be complete by the end of March, meaning emerging candidates will have to work quickly as they seek the seat.

"It's an uphill battle," Canty said. "Assuming the seven Windsor delegates opt to support me, it will be even more difficult to get at least two Bloomfield delegates to switch. I hope they see my record and ability to organize and win in this very fast election becomes a plus for my candidacy."

Canty is second vice president of the American Federation of Teachers Connecticut and is executive secretary for the state chapter of AFL-CIO. He also is vice president of the Hartford Labor Council.

If elected, he said he would work to help stabilize state revenue, lower property taxes, and promote economic development, as well as make decisions that sustain the state's infrastructure.