Alan Schlesinger

Last updated

In April 2006, Schlesinger announced his intention to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Joe Lieberman, with a pledge to spend $500,000 of his personal funds on the campaign.

Schlesinger has received strong criticism for his gambling at Connecticut casinos under the alias "Alan Gold". He is accused of using the alias to avoid detection as a card counter, while Schlesinger maintains he only used the alias to protect his privacy as a public official. (Card counting is not an illegal activity, but many casinos exercise their right to remove card counters from their businesses.) Many contended that the scandal would jeopardize Schlesinger's Senate campaign, and fellow Republicans, such as Governor of Connecticut Jodi Rell, suggested that he withdraw.[ permanent dead link ]. State party chairman George Gallo said he felt Schlesinger "cleared the air" after he gave a press conference after the story broke, and said that he had not asked Schlesinger to step aside. On July 21, the Hartford Courant reported Schlesinger had been sued twice by New Jersey casinos for gambling debts, but had settled out of court, paying back both debts with interest.

He supports a campaign program of immigration, tax, social security, Medicare, and spending reform. He is a self-described "moderate-conservative"; among other issue stances, he opposes affirmative action and amnesty for illegal immigrants, and, while he says he is otherwise pro-choice, supports mandatory parental notification before a minor can have an abortion. He says he can reach out to independents, as he did to win in Derby, a city where Republicans are outnumbered 4:1.

Throughout the campaign he was considered a longshot, and many Republicans declined to support him, turning instead to Lieberman. President George W. Bush declined to endorse Schlesinger's candidacy. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow stated that the Connecticut Republican Party "has suggested that we not make an endorsement in that race and so we're not." [7] [8]

Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman won the election, running as an Independent after losing the Democratic Party's nomination in an August primary. Upon his victory, Lieberman announced he would caucus with the Democratic majority in the Senate in the 110th United States Congress.

Move to Florida

After his defeat, Schlesinger became involved in Florida politics. He previously lived there part-time in Palm Beach County and moved there full-time. [9] He considered running for Florida's 22nd congressional district against Democratic incumbent Ron Klein in 2008 and for Florida's 19th congressional district in the 2010 special election to replace Democrat Robert Wexler, who had resigned, but ultimately did not run in either race. [10]

In 2013, Schlesinger announced his candidacy for Congress in Florida's 18th congressional district , centered around Palm Beach. The incumbent was Democrat Patrick Murphy. [11]

In an article published on August 4, 2014 by George Bennett of the Palm Beach Post, Schlesinger claimed an internal poll conducted by Cherry Communications showed that 53% of potential voters in the Republican Primary were undecided at the time, so he decided to contribute $100,000 more to his campaign efforts. Schlesinger also said that the same poll showed Carl J. Domino remains the front-runner of the race but that he was in second place and the "only one that's within striking distance". [12]

The Republican Primary for the Florida's 18th congressional district currently featured four other candidates besides Domino and Schlesinger: Beverly Hires, Brian Lara, Calvin Turnquest and Nick Wukoson. [13] Schlesinger finished in second place in the August 26 primary with 24% of the vote, while Domino won with 38%. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 United States Senate elections</span>

The 1988 United States Senate elections were elections for the United States Senate. Held on November 8, 1988, the 33 seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections. In spite of the Republican victory by George H. W. Bush in the presidential election, the Democrats gained a net of 1 seat in the Senate. 7 seats changed parties, with 4 incumbents being defeated. The Democratic majority in the Senate increased by one to 55–45.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 United States Senate elections</span>

The 1980 United States Senate elections were held on November 4, coinciding with Ronald Reagan's victory in the presidential election. The 34 Senate seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections. Reagan's large margin of victory over incumbent Jimmy Carter gave a huge boost to Republican Senate candidates, allowing them to flip 12 Democratic seats and win control of the chamber for the first time since the end of the 83rd Congress in January 1955. This was the first time since 1966 that any party successfully defended all their own seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 United States Senate elections</span>

The 2006 United States Senate elections were held on November 7, 2006, with all 33 Class 1 Senate seats being contested. The term of office for those elected in 2006 ran from January 3, 2007, to January 3, 2013. Before the election cycle, the Republican Party controlled 55 of the 100 Senate seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 United States House of Representatives elections</span> House elections for the 110th U.S. Congress

The 2006 United States House of Representatives elections were held on November 7, 2006, to elect members to the United States House of Representatives. It took place in the middle of President George W. Bush's second term in office. All 435 seats of the House were up for election. Those elected served in the 110th United States Congress from January 3, 2007, until January 3, 2009. The incumbent majority party, the Republicans, had won majorities in the House consecutively since 1994, and were defeated by the Democrats who won a majority in the chamber, ending 12 years of Republican control in the House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 United States Senate election in Connecticut</span>

The 2006 United States Senate election in Connecticut was held November 7, 2006. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman won his fourth and final term in the Senate, under the Connecticut for Lieberman party banner.

In U.S. politics, an independent Democrat is an individual who loosely identifies with the ideals of the Democratic Party but chooses not to be a formal member of the party or is denied the Democratic nomination in a caucus or primary election. Independent Democrat is not a political party. Several elected officials, including members of Congress, have identified as independent Democrats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida's 10th congressional district</span> U.S. House district for Florida

Florida's 10th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Florida. It was reassigned in 2012, effective January 3, 2013, from the Gulf Coast to inland Central Florida. Before 2017, the district included parts of western Orange County, most of Lake County, as well as a northern section of Polk County. The current district is entirely within Orange County, and covers most of its western portion. It is situated along the Interstate 4 corridor. It includes most of the western half of Orlando. Other cities and towns wholly or partly within the district include Apopka, Belle Isle, Beulah, Eatonville, Harlem Heights, Ocoee, Oak Ridge, Orlo Vista, Winter Garden, and Windermere. In 2020, the district was expanded further north and south to include most of Orlando east of Interstate 4, the Baldwin Park area, Orlando Executive Airport, Winter Park, that portion of Maitland within Orange County, the Azaela Park, Goldenrod, Rio Pinar and Alafaya/Waterford Lakes areas, and continuing east to the University of Central Florida, Naval Support Activity Orlando, the Central Florida Research Park, and the Lake Pickett, Bithlo and Wedgefield areas. Even with this expansion, the 10th remains a minority majority district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida's 8th congressional district</span> U.S. House district for Florida

Florida's 8th congressional district is an electoral district for the U.S. Congress and was reassigned in 2012, effective January 2013, from the inland central part of Florida to the central Atlantic coast. The district includes Titusville, Melbourne, Cocoa, and Cape Canaveral, Florida. The district includes all of Brevard County, as well as all of Indian River County and parts of Orange County. The district also includes the Kennedy Space Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States Senate elections</span>

The 2012 United States Senate elections were held on November 6, 2012, with 33 of the 100 seats in the Senate, all Class 1 seats, being contested in regular elections whose winners would serve 6-year terms beginning January 3, 2013, with the 113th Congress. Democrats had 21 seats up for election, plus 1 Independent, and 1 Independent Democrat, while the Republicans only had 10 seats up for election. The presidential election, elections to the House of Representatives, elections for governors in 14 states and territories, and many state and local elections were also held on the same day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gayle Harrell</span> American politician

Gayle Harrell is a member of the Florida State Senate. A Republican, she is a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 83rd District, which includes Port St. Lucie and Stuart in northern Martin County and southern St. Lucie County, from 2012 to 2018. Harrell previously represented the 81st District from 2000 to 2008 and again from 2010 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida</span>

The 2008 United States House of Representatives Elections in Florida were held on November 4, 2008 to determine who would represent the state of Florida in the United States House of Representatives. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 111th Congress from January 4, 2009 until January 3, 2011. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida</span>

The 2010 United States House of Representatives Elections in Florida were held on November 2, 2010, to determine who would represent the state of Florida in the United States House of Representatives. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 112th Congress from January 2011 until January 2013. Florida had twenty-five seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census, but would soon gain two more congressional seats in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States Senate election in Connecticut</span>

The 2012 United States Senate election in Connecticut was held on November 6, 2012, in conjunction with the 2012 U.S. presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Primaries to elect Senate candidates from the Republican and Democratic parties were held on Tuesday, August 14, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lois Frankel</span> American politician & lawyer (born 1948)

Lois Jane Frankel is an American politician and lawyer who has been the United States representative for Florida's 22nd congressional district since 2023 and from 2013 to 2017 and Florida’s 21st congressional district from 2017 to 2023. As a member of the Democratic Party, Frankel was a 7-term member of the Florida House of Representatives and a two-term mayor of West Palm Beach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick Murphy (Florida politician)</span> American politician (born 1983)

Patrick Erin Murphy is an American businessman, accountant, and politician. A Southern Democrat, he served as the U.S. representative from Florida's 18th congressional district from 2013 to 2017. He is a former Republican, having switched parties in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida</span>

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, to elect the 27 U.S. representatives from the state of Florida, one from each of the state's 27 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including Governor of Florida. There was no net party change, as Democrat Gwen Graham defeated Republican incumbent Steve Southerland in the 2nd district, while Republican Carlos Curbelo defeated Democratic incumbent Joe Garcia in the 26th district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Massachusetts's 5th congressional district special election</span>

A special election for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district took place on December 10, 2013, due to the resignation of Democratic Congressman Ed Markey following his election to the United States Senate in a special election on June 25, 2013. Primary elections were held on October 15, in which Democratic state senator Katherine Clark and Republican Frank Addivinola won their party nominations. State law required that Governor Deval Patrick call a special election between 145 and 160 days after the vacancy became official. On December 10, Clark easily defeated Addivinola with almost 2/3 of the vote, holding the seat for the Democrats. Clark's win marked the 92nd consecutive U.S. House loss by Republicans in Massachusetts since 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida</span>

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida were held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, to elect the 27 U.S. representatives from the state of Florida, one from each of the state's 27 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including President of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida</span>

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida were held on November 3, 2020, to elect the 27 U.S. representatives from Florida, one from each of the state's 27 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the U.S. Senate, and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Florida's 20th congressional district special election</span>

The 2022 Florida's 20th congressional district special election was a special election to the United States House of Representatives. The seat had been vacant since incumbent Democratic representative Alcee Hastings died on April 6, 2021, of pancreatic cancer.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Elizabeth Hamilton (October 1, 2006). "A Long Shot Won't Give Up". The Courant. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  2. George Judson (November 5, 1992). "The 1992 Elections: Connecticut -- U.S. Senate Race; Victorious Dodd to Press for Campaign Limits". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  3. "Hartford Courant 03 Nov 1993, page Page 23". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  4. McCarthy, Peggy (1993-11-07). "How Local Races Across the State Might Help in 1994". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  5. "Garofalo, Democrats Sweep Election". electronicvalley.org. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  6. "Our Campaigns - Derby, CT Mayor Race - Nov 02, 1999".
  7. "Bush will not endorse Republican opposing Lieberman". (August 15, 2006). Reuters
  8. Gizzi, John (October 5, 2006). "Getting Pushed Off the Republican Sled". Human Events. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  9. Jack Furnari (April 10, 2014). "GOP boss to grass-roots Republicans: 'Don't get in the race'". Biz Pac. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  10. George Bennett (November 22, 2009). "Democratic Mayor Varela wins backing of GOP boss". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  11. "Alan Schlesinger Runs for Congress in Florida | Capitol Watch". Archived from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  12. http://postonpolitics.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2014/08/04/armed-with-poll-schlesinger-plans-to-pump-at-least-100000-more-into-gop-congressional-primary/"Armed with poll, Schlesinger plans to pump at least $100,000 more into GOP congressional primary"
  13. "Six Republicans vie for Florida seat of Democratic Rep. Murphy | www.mypalmbeachpost.com". Archived from the original on 2014-08-03.
  14. "2014 Primary Election August 26, 2014 Official Results". Florida Division of Elections. Retrieved 3 September 2014.


Alan Schlesinger
AlanSchlesinger2006.jpg
Schlesinger after a U.S. Senate debate on October 18, 2006.
Mayor of Derby, Connecticut
In office
January 3, 1994 January 1, 1998
Connecticut House of Representatives
Preceded by
Patrick B. O'Sullivan III
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
from the 114th district

1981–1993
Succeeded by
Ellen Scalettar
Political offices
Preceded by
Gino S. DiMauro Jr.
Mayor of Derby, Connecticut
1994–1998
Succeeded by
Marc J. Garofalo
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Connecticut
(Class 1)

2006
Succeeded by