April 22, 2010 | Michael Kirk

Candidates for Governor Engage in Debate at UConn Law School

Separate debates were held at the Law School for the Republican and Democratic candidates. Two UConn students were among the moderators.

Eleven candidates for governor gathered at UConn Law School on Wednesday afternoon, April 21, for two debates before an audience of about 200. The event, which featured seven Republican candidates for the first debate and four Democratic candidates for the second, focused on the future of higher education in Connecticut, the state budget, and Connecticut’s economy, among other issues.

Welcoming the candidates and the audience, UConn President Michael Hogan said, “It’s no secret that Connecticut, like every other state, faces very difficult choices in the next few years. The University of Connecticut looks forward to being part of the solution to our state’s problems and continuing to be an economic engine for the Northeast.” Hogan said UConn – with nearly 30,000 students on eight campuses, 115,000 alumni living in Connecticut, and the $2.3 billion it adds to the state’s Gross Domestic Product – will play a major role in the state’s future.

The debates, which were each about 45 minutes long, were moderated by UConn senior Christopher Duray, editor of the Daily Campus; Keith Phaneuf, a capitol reporter for CTMirror.org; and Devaughn Ward, a second-year student at the UConn Law School and vice president of the Student Bar Association.

<p>President Michael Hogan speaks during the gubernatorial debates held at the William H. Starr Reading Room at the Law School.</p>
University President Michael Hogan speaks during the gubernatorial debates held at the Law School on April 21. Photos by Peter Morenus
<p>Debate moderators Devaughn Ward, left, a law school student, Keith Phaneuf, a reporter with CTMirror.org, Chris Duray, an undergraduate student. At right is time keeper James Leahy, CAE, executive director of the Connecticut Daily Newspapers Association. The gubernatorial debates were held at the William H. Starr Reading Room at the Law School.</p>
Debate moderators from left, Devaughn Ward, a law student, Keith Phaneuf, a reporter with CTMirror.org, and Christopher Duray, an undergraduate. At right is timekeeper James Leahy, executive director of the Connecticut Daily Newspapers Association.
<p>Republican candidates Christopher Acevedo, left, Mark Boughton, Lawrence Denardis, Michael Fedele, Thomas Foley, Nelson Griebel and Thomas Marsh. The gubernatorial debates were held at the William H. Starr Reading Room at the Law School.</p>
Republican candidates from left, Christopher Acevedo, Mark Boughton, Lawrence DeNardis, Michael Fedele, Thomas Foley, Nelson Griebel, and Thomas Marsh.
<p>Democratic candidates Juan Figueroa, Mary Glassman, Dan Malloy and Rudy Marconi. The gubernatorial debates were held at the William H. Starr Reading Room at the Law School.</p>
Democratic candidates from left, Juan Figueroa, Mary Glassman, Dan Malloy, and Rudy Marconi.
<p>A view of the audience during the gubernatorial debates held at the William H. Starr Reading Room at the Law School.</p>
A view of the audience in the William H. Starr Reading Room at the Law School.
<p>James Leahy, CAE, executive director of the Connecticut Daily Newspapers Association, left, with President Michael Hogan before the gubernatorial debates held at the William H. Starr Reading Room at the Law School.</p>
James Leahy, executive director of the Connecticut Daily Newspapers Association, left, with President Michael Hogan before the gubernatorial debates.