IonHartford

Well it’s official, Carmen Sierra has accumulated enough signatures to force a primary between herself and Hector Robles for the city’s 6th district seat in the house of representatives. The seat had previously been held by outgoing representative Art Feltman. Carmen is a seasoned political junkie who is well respected within both the general Latino community as well as the city’s politico’s. Currently Carmen is Executive Director of CAUSA, Inc., (Connecticut Association for United Spanish Action), geez what people would do for a good acronym.

Let’s take a look at summarized bio’s of the two candidates:

Carmen Sierra: As Executive Director of CAUSA since 2000, Sierra directs public policy research and advocacy on behalf of all statewide Hispanic non-profit organizations. Prior to joining CAUSA, she was executive assistant to the state Comptroller. Prior to her work as an HEDC commissioner, she also volunteered with Latin American Students Organization and the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, and serves as a director of the Capital Region Workforce Development Board, Catholic Family Services, Institute of Hispanic Family, Connecticut Women’s Council and Salvation Army. Recently, Sierra was awarded a fellowship to attend Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives. She is a Commissioner for the Hartford Economic Development Commission, Board Member of Connecticut Workforce Development Board, former member of Catholic Family Services, Institute of Hispanic Family, and many more.

Hector Robles: Community Service Officer (Hartford PD) for the South Meadows / Sheldon Neighborhoods. I tried to be fair and scoured the web for bio info for the man and was not able to come up with much. He hosted a dinner for Art Feltman and John Fonfara here and is listed as a respondent on State Elections Enforcement Commissions agenda here.

This now makes three competent challenges to the power of the city’s Democratic Town Committee’s will. Shirley Surgeon is working to keep her position as Registrar of Voter (Olga Aviles was endorsed by the DTC), Marie Kirkley-Bey will fight to stave off the endorsed Democrat Abe Giles, and now this race between Carmen Sierra and Hector Robles. In the immortal words of the Beach Boys: “and we’ll have fun, fun, fun till her daddy takes the T-Bird away!

Ms. Sierra is no stranger to the Hartford politico climate. Running for City Treasurer against Kathleen Palm in 1999, her candidacy was stalled by a controversial interview on a Public Access program of all places! During the interview some schmuck called expressing support for Ms. Sierra and in the process made disparaging remarks about Jews and their supposed control of everything. Carmen kinda chuckled nervously and the interview continued. The backlash towards not denouncing this man’s comments made her primary fight almost impossible. She lost the primary 4,323 to 2,545 votes. Later, she lost her job with State Comptroller Nancy Wyman when she made reference to Ms. Wyman’s mentions of “Puerto Rican Time” in casual conversation. Nancy totally freaked and waited til after the elections to let her go.

Let’s just say that Carmen doesn’t understand why Prince is so high on partying like it’s 1999.

Personally, I’m a big fan of Carmen and I don’t know Hector from a hole in the wall. Actually, I know a couple holes more than I know Hector. But, this will prove to be an interesting race. A battle between two lovable perpetual losers, Hamilton Burger vs the Washington Generals if you will.

Ten points to anyone who makes the connection to the above mentioned lovable losers.