State confirms public funding for Garfunkel campaign

NORWALK, Conn. – Andy Garfunkel, the Democratic Party nominee to represent the 142^nd District in the Connecticut General Assembly, will receive funding under the Citizen’s Clean Elections Program. The former Norwalk Town Clerk, who served 10 years before trying to unseat then-Mayor Richard Moccia in 2011, is running to replace retiring State Rep. Larry Cafero (R-Norwalk) in the district that includes parts of Norwalk and New Canaan.

Garfunkel will face either Republican-endorsed candidate Emily Wilson or former Norwalk Board of Estimate and Taxation Chairman Fred Wilms in November. Wilson and Wilms will duke it out in the Aug. 12 primary.

To qualify for the Citizens Election Program, a candidate for state representative must raise $5,000, a portion of which must come from a minimum of 150 residents of the towns a candidate seeks to represent in the General Assembly. Contributions must be between $5 and $100. Candidates who qualify receive $27,850 for their general election campaign.

Wilson and Wilms also have qualified.

Garfunkel was unanimously endorsed by Democrats at a nominating convention held on May 20.

Christopher Potts, treasurer for Garfunkel 2014, said, “A good 85 percent of the contributions were contributions of $50 or less. Andy’s support comes from throughout the district, from all walks of life and from all political stripes.”

“It’s almost reached the point of cliché to express gratitude for the overwhelming support demonstrated by these donations,” Garfunkel said, “but it has to be said. I am extremely honored to know that so many of my fellow Norwalkers, and people in New Canaan, who are getting to know me through this campaign, have shown their support for my candidacy.”

He went on to speak about the importance of the role of good planning in people’s lives.

“This area is poised to contribute to a slowly recovering economy. The ingredients are all there, if we focus on rebuilding in a smart and effective way. If we can improve our regional infrastructure, develop sustainable energy and environmental policy and spark small business growth to create jobs, then we’ll be looking at a remarkably different future that the one we are contemplating now. We will have restored the vital communities that educate our young, nurture our elderly and support families and businesses who want to remain in Connecticut. I am looking forward to discussing these issues with voters and figuring out how to make sure that the best solutions are acted upon quickly and effectively.”

Edwin Camacho, chairman of the Norwalk DTC, had praise for Garfunkel.

“Andy will represent his district well up in Hartford,” Camacho said. “He has consistently dedicated himself to improving the community and has shown himself to be well-suited to working with people on both sides of the aisle to accomplish important objectives. He was a popular and productive Town Clerk, and he will take his extensive knowledge of local issues and apply them on the state level to have an even bigger impact.”

Garfunkel attended the University of Bridgeport, majoring in theatrical design. He owned and operated his own home remodeling business in Fairfield and Westchester counties for more than 15 years before serving as Norwalk’s Town Clerk from 2001-2011. He is currently a licensed real estate agent with William Raveis in Norwalk and a free-lancing technician with both the Studio Mechanics and Stage Employees Unions in the tri-state area.