John Mertens, an engineering professor at Hartford’s Trinity College, has entered the U.S. Senate race in Connecticut, and is seeking the backing of a number of parties. Mertens heads the Connecticut For Lieberman Party, which was Sen. Joseph Lieberman’s vehicle in seeking reelection in 2006 after losing the Democratic primary to Ned Lamont. Despite its name, the party is now controlled by Lieberman opponents. Some of its members are upset by Mertens’s run. Activist Sue Henshaw told the Hartford Courant that the goal has been “to use the party to hold Joseph Lieberman accountable, and it’s vital that it remains in existence until Lieberman runs again. To use the Connecticut For Lieberman Party for any other purpose than its mission diminishes both the politician and the party.” If Mertens receives less than one percent of the vote, the party will not be on the ballot in 2012, when Lieberman is up for reelection. Party activists like Henshaw want the party to endorse Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd next year.
Mertens will formally announce his candidacy this evening, at an event that will feature state Green Party co-chair Stephen Fournier, state Libertarian Party Richard Lion, and Mike Telesca of the state Independent Party. Mertens is seeking the endorsement of all three of these parties.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Danny S // Sep 9, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Why aren’t the Libertarians saying, “No, we like Peter Schiff.” ?
2 Peter Orvetti // Sep 9, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Schiff has said he will not run as a Libertarian, just as a Republican. I’m not sure, but I think he has made it clear that if he does not get the GOP nomination, he is out.
3 The New New New New Reform Movement [?????????] // Sep 9, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Sniff, sniff, the Democans and the Republicrats are deceitful enuf as it is as the Establishment Duopoly! The West Coast franchises of the Constitution Party and the reform movement have also been high jacked!
I HATE Jomotion! Can’t stand the Israel First, anchor ’round Gore’s neck, anti patriotic bug!
But the Jomotion Party taken over by the anti Lieberman cabal? The Jewish shadowy envoys and the end of days must be near for sure! Let us [as alternative political types not applaud this abomination!
Don Lake, hate Lieberman almost as much as I hate duplicity!
4 Danny S // Sep 9, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Oh, I have no doubts that Schiff is only running as a Republican. It just seems that the LP would be all over trying to get him elected, considering his pretty much outright libertarian ideas and his father’s history with the LP.
5 Third Party Revolution // Sep 10, 2009 at 5:24 am
Looks like a case of somebody trying to make a Libertarian Green Progressive Alliance.
6 Dave Schwab // Sep 11, 2009 at 12:59 pm
So is Mertens a Lieberman supporter, or a Lieberman opponent? If he’s a Lieberman supporter and seeking the Green nomination, he’s got a lot of ‘splainin’ to do.
7 Fever // Sep 23, 2009 at 3:01 pm
So, this “Activist” Henshaw only wants the CFL Party to be used against Lieberman. To do anything else “diminishes both the politician and the party.” Yet, then she wants the party to endorse the even worse Dodd. So which is it, Susie Henshaw baby? Use it only against Lieberman, or try to help the Democratic establishment? Well….?
8 Sue Henshaw // Dec 9, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Fever,
When John Orman, I, and the other original members signed the party over to Dr. Mertens, we departed that final meeting with the understanding that Mertens would continue CFL’s original philosophy and viability as long as Sen. Lieberman was politically active.
Losing both the election against Sen. Dodd and CFL party ballot access in 2012 was not what Dr. Orman envisioned for CFL. Therefore, it’s in his memory that I and the other original founders are speaking up now.
Also, we would like to know how John Mertens would be a more effective candidate than our current Democratic Senator, Chris Dodd. Perhaps you can help.
Sue Henshaw
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