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Hartford Primary To Feature Key Contests

By JENNA CARLESSO

June 20, 2012

HARTFORD —— Several of the city's key political seats will be contested in the August primary election.

Two Democratic challengers will run against the party-endorsed candidates for state representative in the 3rd and 6th Assembly Districts.

State Rep. Hector Robles, a two-term incumbent, collected enough signatures to appear on the ballot, said John Bazzano, the town and city clerk. He is challenging Edwin Vargas, a longtime city resident who received the party's endorsement last month, for the 6th District state representative seat.

Robles faced criticism from the party after he was fired from the Hartford Police Department in 2010. His departure came after an internal investigation concluded that Robles had fabricated time cards to show he was on duty while working private jobs. He was charged in 2011 with two counts of first-degree larceny. His case is pending at Superior Court in Hartford.

Victor Luna, a former member of the city's Democratic town committee, is challenging 3rd District state Rep. Minnie Gonzalez, an eight-term incumbent. Gonzalez also received the party's endorsement last month.

Party-endorsed candidate Ramon Arroyo, who is married to Gonzalez, will face challenger Olga Vazquez for the Democratic registrar of voters seat. Vazquez is the incumbent, but did not get the endorsement. Another candidate, Charmaine Waul, had collected signatures but didn't have enough to qualify, city officials said.

In addition, Nyesha McCauley has petitioned her way onto the ballot to run against Salvatore Bramante, the incumbent, for Republican registrar of voters.

The primary is Aug. 14.