Undergraduate looks to ride Clinton's coattails

Peter Dziedzic

While many Yalies hope, during their time at Yale, to gain the education and experience needed to run for office, an Ezra Stiles sophomore has decided that he can't wait until graduation to wield political power.

Nineteen-year-old Peter Dziedzic, ES '99, seeking to oust Republican Angelo Fusco from his Southington, Conn. seat in the State Legislature, is very confident that he can do so by riding Democratic coattails on Election Day next week.

Dziedzic said Fusco's recent campaign tactics "show me that he's running scared." Dziedzic points to increased mudslinging on the part of Fusco as evidence that the six-term incumbent is in real trouble. "He's scared I have a good shot at beating him," Dziedzic said.

What does Dziedzic plan to do if he gets to Hartford? Tax relief is number one on his agenda. He explained that Fusco wants to reduce Connecticut's gas tax by 10 cents a gallon. Connecticut's current gas tax is the highest in the nation and is scheduled to rise by 10 cents a gallon next year. While Dziedzic does not oppose a reduction in the price of gasoline, he believes that Fusco cannot pay for his tax cuts.

Instead, Dziedzic is offering property tax relief to his constituents. "I want a more graduated property tax" which hits the rich harder than it currently does, Dziedzic said.

The liberal Dziedzic also is wary of Fusco's progression from a "moderate" Republican to a more conservative one. Fusco has grown increasingly conservative, "especially on labor issues," Dziedzic said.

Fusco's increased conservatism hurt him directly when the AFL-CIO switched its endorsement to Dziedzic for this election. In a year when labor unions are spending millions of dollars in support of pro-labor candidates, this support may translate into votes for Dziedzic.

On campaign literature drops, Dziedziz said, "We did really well in his [Fusco's] areas of support." While Fusco has not attacked his opponent's age directly in the race, he has consistently skirted the issue in an attempt to block Dziedzic's challenge. "He has referred to me as `a nice boy,'" Dzied-zic said.

However, while Fusco may be attempting to use his opponent's age to his advantage, Dziedzic reported that his own party views his age as a plus. The Democratic Party appreciates "the new blood" he represents, according to Dziedzic.

Dziedzic has been involved in politics in his hometown for nine years. He first volunteered for the man running against Fusco when he was in sixth grade. Dziedzic's father was a member of the Southington Board of Education which furthered his son's interest in politics.

As a delegate to the state party's nominating convention this year, Dziedzic was approached by the party to run against Fusco. After receiving his parent's "permission," Dziedzic plunged into the campaign. "My dad is really gung-ho about this," Dziedzic said. "My whole family is consumed" with the campaign, he added.

While the Yale College Democrats have offered to help their fellow Yalie, Dziedzic has primarily counted on the help of close friends at Yale for his campaign.

Yale College Democrats President Charles Borden, ES '97, is excited about Dziedzic's candidacy. "I think [Dziedzic's campaign] is a wonderful idea," he said. Borden added that the Yale College Democrats hope to open students up to the idea of public service, and Dziedzic's candidacy is an excellent example.

Fellow Democrat David Dashefsky, BK '97, is enrolled along with Dziedzic in a college seminar taught by Yale alum and former Connecticut Senator and Governor Lowell Weicker, TD '53. "I can see he's [Dziedzic] a driven campaigner, he has a good head on his shoulders, and he knows the issues," Dashefsky said.

Dziedzic is gleaning campaign advice from Republicans and Democrats alike, and has plans for a final campaign surge this weekend to push him over the top. The candidate has literature drops, banquets, and Democratic town committee meetings on his agenda as he heads back home to campaign on Saturday. Dziedzic will watch election returns with supporters at his headquarters in Southington next Tuesday.

Although last minute campaigning and voter turn-out will be important factors in determining the outcome of the election, Democratic candidates across the state are hoping to share President Clinton's, LAW '73, predicted success in Connecticut. Clinton is favored over Republican challenger Bob Dole by as much as 30 percentage points in statewide polls.

If Dziedzic can capitalize on Democratic Party success in the national elections, he just may get his chance to take over a legislative seat in Hartford.