Editorial Page Editor Paul Choiniere recently sat down with Heather Somers, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, at her City of Groton home to talk about the experience of running for the office, her thoughts about her campaign with running mate Tom Foley, and her vision for the future of the Republican Party. When it comes to Gov. Malloy, hard feelings remain. The following are excerpts from that conversation.

Question: Can you talk about the experience of running for lieutenant governor and any lessons you learned through the experience?

Answer: Running for lieutenant governor was, for me, just a huge honor. It wasn't easy, not for the faint hearted. (It was) probably one of the most difficult things I've ever done besides starting a business, as far as the hours you put in, the travel time.

But the good side is, you get to meet so many amazing people.

I got to experience places in Connecticut where I had never been. In Goshen … I met a man there who has a farm which he rescues elephants on!

It was amazing to meet so many people in Connecticut who really wanted change here and were looking for something different.

Q: When The Day interviewed you during your primary campaign for lieutenant governor you talked about using that position to focus on economic development and as an outreach to businesses, but we did not hear much about that idea in the general election. Why?

A: When you're running in a primary, you're running your own campaign … (You have) authority and jurisdiction over that campaign. Once you become the nominee, you are combined with a governor candidate and then the campaign becomes the governor's campaign.

(Tom and I) did speak about, if we were successful, things we would like to do. It's just not something we really talked about during the campaign because the message was taxes and getting people back to work.

Q: Is that frustrating?

A: I had a really tough primary … and to go from that extreme of messaging what you think is important and reaching out to all Republicans, and then to transition to being on a team, where you are not in control of the message any longer, is definitely something that takes getting used to. It's very different.

Q: The Republican ticket was facing a governor and lieutenant governor who appeared vulnerable and it was a good Election Day for Republicans in much of the country, yet you came up short. Any soul searching about how things might have been done differently?

A: There are many things that absolutely could have been done differently. I believe one of the biggest issues that we faced is that we allowed the Democrats to define the Republican candidate rather than us being on the offense.

(Foley) was more on the defense, defending what the name of his boat was, or this, that and the other thing.

The perceived negative tone of the two men at the top (of the tickets) really turned off voters from even going out to vote because people were just tired of listening to them bicker over things that were really irrelevant to anybody's life.

Q: What does the Republican Party have to do going forward to have some success in Connecticut?

A: We need to spend some time and really reflect on who we are as a party and do a better job of marketing our brand. The Republican Party in Connecticut has a great message. We just have not been able to have that resonate with people.

(We have to) look at the types of candidates that we nominate … to make sure we have the right candidates that can communicate the message we want to bring to the people of Connecticut.

Q: And what might be in the future for Heather Somers?

A: Right now, I am taking some time through the holidays to spend with my family. I do have a few business opportunities … and I am keeping my options open.

I really want to help build the Connecticut Republican Party ... that is something I am absolutely committed to doing.

Q: You wrote an op-ed for The Day recently that was highly critical of the governor for saying on the campaign trail that there was no budget problem. Now we know there is a roughly $100 million shortfall. Can you talk about why you wrote the commentary?

A: It wasn't sour grapes.

I sat there through seven debates and countless interviews where the governor of Connecticut actually looked into the cameras and, in my opinion, failed to tell the truth to the citizens of Connecticut.

Four days after the election we find out we have a $100 million deficit? Come on. He absolutely had to have that (information during the campaign) because he had a plan in place ready to go as far as what he was going to cut.

The fact you are using our tax dollars (under the public campaign finance program) to lie to your own people is something that I have a very hard time with.

I think there is something to be said about the character of a person who does that.