Rowland Controversy Expected To Rise Again In Congressional Race

The flap over former Gov. John Rowland’s assistance to Congressional candidate Lisa Wilson-Foley has died down for now, but some Republicans fear it could flare up again in the fall if Wilson-Foley wins the August primary.

Four Republicans – endorsed candidate Andrew Roraback of Goshen, Mark Greenberg of Litchfield, Justin Bernier of Plainville, and Wilson-Foley – are competing in the primary in the Fifth Congressional District, and they have largely avoided the issue publicly. During a debate one month ago, no questions were asked about Rowland, and none of the candidates brought it up independently.

But Thomas Pinkham, a Cheshire Republican who supports Greenberg, predicted that the Rowland controversy will spring up again in the fall.

“There’s no good that’s going to come from that,’’ Pinkham said in an interview. “That’s going to be a feeding frenzy for the Democrats.’’

As a delegate at the state convention two weeks ago, Pinkham refused to switch his vote to Wilson-Foley after Greenberg had been eliminated from the third round of balloting. At that point, delegates were permitted to switch their votes, and Pinkham would not support Foley because of the Rowland controversy. He noted that complaints had been filed with the Federal Election Commission over the matter.

While working as a radio talk show host on WTIC-AM, Rowland was also volunteering on Foley’s campaign. In addition, Rowland was also being paid as a consultant for a health care firm operated by Brian Foley, Lisa Wilson-Foley’s husband. Rowland was paid $30,000 for six months that stretched from October 2011 through March 2012, but the deal was not signed until November.

Wilson-Foley herself said she believes the issue will likely resurface again.

“I’m sure they’ll try and do it,’’ she said in an interview. “For me, it’s over. John Rowland isn’t volunteering for my campaign any more. The contract he had with my husband’s company is over. It was a six-month chapter. He did a good job, and it’s over. They can certainly bring it up. People want to re-hash old news all the time. But I’m moving forward. I don’t look back. I look forward to how I can do a really bang-up job in Washington, and how I’m going to get there.’’

Greenberg said in an interview that he would not raise the matter – in the same way it did not come up during the Republican debate.

“It’s not my issue,’’ said Greenberg, adding that he would not be attacking other candidates on personal matters. “I have been consistent with dealing with the issues. I made a vow not to do that.’’

Roraback, a state senator who represents 15 small towns in Litchfield County, said Wednesday that he thinks the controversy is not going away.

“I think it would be naïve for Republicans to conclude that Democrats would not make hay with any and all issues which they think could help them,’’ Roraback said in an interview. “And I think that the Democrats would be the best people to ask whether they would intend to make an issue of this.’’

Roraback noted that Wilson-Foley had been scheduled recently to appear on the “Where We Live’’ program on WNPR radio, but she declined after the show promoted that she would be asked about Rowland.

“The fact that Ms. Wilson-Foley canceled her appearance on John Dankosky’s show was, I think, good evidence that some people have more questions,’’ Roraback said. “Candidates have to always be open to the public and the press to answer any and all questions. It’s part of what it means to be a candidate.’’

When asked if he would bring up the issue, Roraback said, “My candidacy is about instilling confidence in the voters that I have the values and the skills to get results for them out of the box. I am aiming to win the election by earning the confidence of the voters, as to my qualifications, not by speaking ill of my competitors.’’

Based on their first and second-place showings at the convention, Roraback and Wilson-Foley are widely viewed as the two leading contenders in the race.

When asked after the convention about her biggest policy differences with Roraback, Wilson-Foley responded, “I think it’s more about jobs. … I live it day by day. It’s not just theoretical for me. … Andrew Roraback has worked for his parents’ or grandparents’ law firm since he got out of school. I don’t think he ever even had to look for another job. I’ve been working my whole life. I decided at age 29 that I wanted to be my own boss. The saying is: you get a job, you get a better job, and then you own the job. I really know what that feels like.’’

Roraback responded, “I have always juggled two full-time jobs and well understand the pressures of making payroll. I have a record of promoting public policy which benefits job creation by supporting the private sector. When I have led Republican efforts to defeat the Malloy tax hikes, I think that’s pretty good evidence of my appreciation for what’s needed for job creation in Connecticut. … My career with my family’s law firm has always been centered around helping small businesses navigate the regulatory morass and assist them in growing and helping create jobs.’’