Westbrook GOP charges Democratic candate in 33rd District with elections law violation
The Westbrook Republican Town Committee announced Monday that it has filed a complaint with the State Elections Enforcement Commission alleging that Norm Needleman, the Democratic candidate for the 33rd District state Senate seat, violated elections regulations.
Harry Ruppenicker Jr., chairman of the Westbrook Republican Town Committee, said in a news release that the violation involved a $2,400 payment the Needleman campaign made to Tower Industries in August for rental of space at the company’s offices on Industrial Park Road in the Centerbrook section of Essex. Needleman, the first selectman of Essex, is also the founder and owner of the pharmaceutical company.
According to Ruppenicker, state campaign finance regulations prohibit candidates from making payments to any entity in which he or his family have an ownership stake of 5 percent or greater.
Needleman is running against two-term incumbent Sen. Arthur Linares of Westbrook and Colin Bennett of Westbrook, a Green Party candidate, for the seat representing Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.
Kevin Coughlin, campaign manager for Needleman, said Monday that the payment was made to Tower Industries for rental of one room at the company for a campaign office. The campaign also has campaign offices in East Hampton and Clinton, he said.
Needleman said no violation has occurred.
“It is required by law that any business entity providing something of value to a campaign be reimbursed," Needleman responded by email. "The campaign is following the law."
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