Republican race for congress heats up

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Two wealthy Republican candidates are challenging a longtime political leader in the 5th Congressional District Primary next Tuesday.

State Senator Andrew Roraback has spent 18 years in the state legislature representing 15 towns in northwestern Connecticut. His main opponents in the Republican primary are businesswoman Lisa Wilson Foley, who has never held political office before; and businessman Mark Greenberg, who also never held political office. Both say that's exactly why he shouldn't be elected to congress.

"I really believe that we need new voices," said Foley, "people with a different vision for our country, some that has been in the business world."

"I believe people are really angry with career politicians in Washington and, as I go, door-to-door, and as I speak to crowds, I know that they're interested in electing somebody different," said Greenberg.

However, Roraback wears his political experience proudly, saying he's proven that he can get votes from more than just conservative Republicans.

"I'm convinced that I can win in November with the support not just of Republicans, but also the very key voting block: independent voters," Roraback said.

"I realized Washington was just growing by leaps and bounds, over regulating, over taxing, over spending," Foley said in a TV commercial.

Foley has been running an aggressive TV advertising campaign promoting herself.

"Endorsed Republican and proven fiscal conservative Andrew Roraback fought Governor Malloy's record tax increase," an announcer said in a Roraback commercial.

Roraback started TV commercials this week.

"Once a registered Democrat that gave money to liberals like Chris Murphy, then promoted Obamacare," said an announcer in a Greenberg commercial. "I see the new health care law as an opportunity to create jobs," Foley said.
"Career politician Andrew Roraback says he'd support higher taxes, yup, higher taxes," the announcer said.

The most aggressive TV advertising campaign by far was the one launched in the final week by Greenberg, who says conservative ideological purity is more important than winning.

There is also a fourth candidate on the Republican Primary ballot in the 5th District on Tuesday, Justin Bernier of Plainville, who recently had a major shake up in his campaign staff and has not been able to raise enough money to advertise on broadcast television.