Doc Gunther’s Last Interview; Former State Senator Supported Democrat Ernie Newton

Even in the final month of his life, former Sen. George “Doc” Gunther kept the political fires going.

In an interview just weeks before his death on August 26 at the age of 92, Gunther maintained the fire and the passion that made him one of the most outspoken legislators at the state Capitol.

I called him shortly before the August 14 primary for his views on the three-way state Senate race because the Bridgeport-dominated district spills into Gunther’s hometown of Stratford. At the time, I did not know that it would be Gunther’s last newspaper interview.

When Gunther answered the telephone at his Stratford home, he didn’t sound like himself. His voice was not clear, but once he started talking about politics and the history of Sikorsky helicopters – one of his favorite subjects – there was no doubt that he still had the fire in the belly.

“My voice is shot,” Gunther said over the phone. “My only regret is my physical situation. I’m jammed up. … I wish I was about 50 years younger.”

He noted that he would be 93 years old ”in another couple of months” and said that his physical limitation was the only thing slowing him down.

When the subject turned to Newton, Gunther immediately launched into a defense of the liberal Democrat who he had tangled with when they served together for years in the state Senate. After a series of secret FBI wiretaps, Newton eventually pleaded guilty to three felonies for accepting a bribe, using campaign contributions for his personal use, and evading taxes. He served more than four years in federal prison and in a halfway house in Waterbury before being released. Newton jumped back into the political fray this year, but he lost in the three-way primary.

“It’s too bad he got screwed up, but he paid his penalty,” Gunther said of Newton. “If people believe in the system, you have to believe you can come back and remove the taint.”

He added, “Of the three candidates, I’d rather have Ernie in there – even with his background. He’s paid his penalty, and he’s learned his lesson. For him to spend that much time in prison, it’s horrible. … I’d like to see him win. Chances are that the Republicans don’t have much of a chance [in November]. The Republican Party is so disorganized. I don’t think this is the election where they’ll get organized.’’

Gunther continued, “He’s paid his debt. I was surprised that he did what he did. … Your responsibility is to represent people, not take advantage of them. He did a lousy thing, but that’s behind him. … Give Ernie a break. Too many people want to talk about the negative on the guy. He’s capable in that district of doing a better job than anybody.”

Gunther also mentioned a side of Newton that few people at the state Capitol – and few in his hometown – have seen. Gunther talked about watching Newton perform in Hartford.

“He’s a talented guy. He plays the piano,” Gunther said. “He plays jazz, and he can play classical. He amazed everybody on the piano. I was there, sure, at the governor’s mansion.”

Many of Gunther’s colleagues – and anyone who talked to him for more than 20 minutes – knew of his love for the history of Sikorsky aircraft in his hometown of Stratford.

“Sikorsky, born Russian, American by choice,” Gunther said.  “Lindbergh was Sikorsky’s test pilot. Did you know that?”