Connecticut holds primaries for state races tomorrow and the Secretary of State is crediting the new Clean Elections program in part for the higher than usual number of contested primaries. This year marked a noticeable drop in uncontested races, from 71 to 60.

 

This is Connecticut's first year with Clean Elections public financing available and participation in the program among both incumbents and challengers has been high. Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz says Clean Elections are in part responsible for the 19 primaries that are occuring:

Usually there are a dozen or fewer primaries, Bysiewicz said. She credits Connecticut's new public campaign financing system - which gives grants to qualified candidates to wage campaigns - with helping boost the number of legislative primaries this year.


"I do think that public financing levels the playing field and also encourages more people to compete," she said, noting that running in a state Senate race, for example, can cost more than $100,000 in Connecticut.

Newcomers have a chance to be competitive, and voters get more choice in who represents them -- it's a win all around.