State, Local Dems Cheer Demicco Candidacy

Several high-ranking Democrats left Hartford Thursday afternoon to join the Farmington Democratic Town Committee’s kick off of the fall campaign season and, in particular, Mike Demicco’s campaign for the 21st House District seat.

Demicco, who has served several terms on the Farmington Town Council and lost a 2010 bid for the 21st District seat by 41 votes to Republican Bill Wadsworth, is a beloved member of the Democratic community.

“I’ve known Mike Demicco and Brenda for 20 years… we attended their wedding,” began Farmington and West Hartford state Rep. Brian Becker. “I love this town committee because I sense the love you have for Mike like I do.”

A concerted effort to get the word out about Demicco to local voters will ensure “folks in Farmington will fall in love with him too and elect him the next representative from the 21st district,” Becker said.

“Those of us who see him at the Capitol know he understands the process and issues like education that are crucial to the future. He’s the kind we need – who can speak out and get the attention of the House of Representatives and the Senate. He has the ability to do it,” said Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, joking that she would knock on doors for Demicco in her high heels.

Aside from their personal affection for Demicco, many said the November election is critical to ensuring the country heads in the right direction.

“This year, we’re going to turn this thing around. The 41 votes [Demicco lost by in 2010] – forget it. We’re going to get 1,000 more votes for Mike Demicco. We’ve got a great ticket with our president at the top… down to the bottom of the ticket. I know we’re going to take this seat back,” Wyman said. 

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, sporting a “Mike Demicco” sticker, agreed. 

“It’s Mike’s year because he came so close last time. People know the values of our country are at stake. I know we say that every year but this year is really scary… There are two very different directions the country could go,” Merrill said.

And apathy, she said, could be the party’s largest opponent, in the 21st District and in every race on the November ballot. 

“People are upset. I’m afraid they won’t vote because they believe their vote doesn’t count.”

Demicco, a stickler for defending what he thinks is right, also urged voters to come out for the election.

“Don’t let them say that we’re all the same. We’re not all the same,” Demicco said.

Not only that, but the negativity of campaign ads fueled by super PACS, has made it difficult for voters to determine what’s true, she said.

Fifth Congressional District candidate Elizabeth Esty warned of the same thing.

“We’re paralyzed in Washington,” said Attorney General George Jepsen. “Their only agenda is to defer Barack Obama and impose a right-wing agenda on us. The stakes never have been higher. We need to elect a Democrat in this town.”

In speaking, Rob Huelin, Farmington Democratic Town Committee Chairman summarized Demicco this way: “He can’t solve all the worlds’ problems but he will be sure to try his damnedest.”