Opinion: It can happen here

John J. Woodcock, III is chairman of the Connecticut Citizens for Ballot Initiative, a former legislator, and former State Ethics Commissioner.

U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s stunning primary loss is a “political version of the San Francisco earthquake” in the words of Stuart Rothenberg, publisher of the Rothenberg Political Report.

College professor Dave Brat spent $120,000 on his successful campaign, compared to the $5.4 million spent by Cantor. Brant prevailed with 55 percent of the vote. It was the first time in U.S. history that a majority leader had lost a primary election. Political pundits’ are having a field day analyzing Cantor’s historic loss. Tea Party activism, immigration, and failure to maintain a “local presence” are amongst the topics under discussion in Washington and the political world.

As a former state legislator and chairman of a nonpartisan advocacy group, I believe Cantor’s loss can be partly attributed to an obvious and glaring disconnect in Washington between our elected officials and the public. Does that disconnect exist in Hartford? Many believe it does?  We will perhaps find out in the coming November election.

Connecticut is a one party state, with the largest voter group being unaffiliated voters. What can they do to “change” the status quo, being shut-out of the candidate nomination process? At present, the unfortunate answer is little.

See the complete story at CT News Junkie