91��Ʒ

O’Neil Endowed Chair of Public Policy Gabe Rosenberg hosted panel discussion on Oct. 27 for the 20th anniversary of Connecticut’s landmark Citizens’ Election Program (CEP) in Founders Hall. 

Moderated by Danielle Colbath, president of 91��Ʒ’s Political Science Club, the group discussed how the program has reshaped political participation in the state.

The panel brought together leaders in Connecticut’s political and media landscape, including Mark Pazniokas from The Connecticut Mirror, John McKinney, former Senate Minority Leader and gubernatorial candidate, 91��Ʒ Professor Jerold Duquette, and State Representative Dave DeFronzo.

Established in 2005, the Citizens’ Election Program was introduced to allow candidates to qualify for public grassroots funding, limiting the impact of large campaign donors. For 20 years, CEP has been credited with creating more competitive elections, allowing a diverse array of candidates to run.

The discussion invited students and community members to consider how CEP has impacted political participation. The panelists reflected on the program’s legacy and discussed the historic background of CEP.

“I think overall, there’s a consensus that the dynamic is much healthier in that regard,” said Pazniokas. “You have legislators who are more likely to be engaged in the good work of going out and talking to their constituents and also having a degree of independence from lobbyists as well as, at times, their own leaders.”

Watch the panel discussion . 

- Savanna Yelling

Image