A voters' guide to New Haven candidates

Politics, for many Americans, has gone from being a dirty word to a somnambulent one. The 1996 elections have generated less interest than the YPU. Lost in the clamoring about the imminent Clinton victory and the failure of Bob Dole to present a real challenge to the incumbent is the truly pertinent question: will the Republicans hold onto the gains they made in the House, Senate and individual State Houses during 1994?

John Coppola would like to ensure that they do. A businessman from Orange, Conn., Coppola has never held elective office. Interested in his state and community, Coppola has been slowly increasing his name recognition and prestige within the local Republican party. A loser to incumbent State Senator Toni Harp in 1994, Coppola has been given the nod by Third District Republicans to run against the Democratic incumbent, House Representative Rosa DeLauro.

Coppola said that he "opposes all cuts in student aid." He supports gay marriages and also "favors welfare reform," but believes "that Connecticut must have some method in mind for creating jobs if reform is going to be successful." A liberal Republican, Coppola endorses campaign finance reform and is proud to say that he "hasn't taken a dime from Political Action Committees (PACs) this fall."

DeLauro

Coppola is challenging the top-line candidate, three-term Democratic incumbent Rosa DeLauro. DeLauro, a former aid to Senator Cristopher Dodd (D-CT), and the former head of Emily's List, has been a vocal advocate of women's issues during her three terms in the House. A supporter of student loans, DeLauro worked during the 104th Congress to keep aid for the poor and disadvantaged available, voting against the Republican Medicare bill and the Welfare Bill. In contrast to her opponent's stand on gay marriages, DeLauro voted yes on the Defense of Marriage Act. The congresswoman is not as firmly opposed to the current campaign finance system as her challenger and has taken PAC money.

This acceptance of PAC donations however, is not unusual given her status as an incumbent and long-time New Haven resident. DeLauro has the support of many local small businesses who donate to her campaign through PACs and, because of her record, she has many financial as well as political supporters.

But, the election of 1996 is not just about the presidency and the US Congress. The Connecticut State Legislature is also up for grabs this election year.

The Republicans, in addition to winning the governor's mansion, took control of the State Senate in 1994 by a slim two-seat margin, 19-17. The State House of Representatives is controlled by a democratic majority which does not appear to be in question during this election

New Haven is the home to seven members of the House, and Yale votes for two of those. Facing no challengers are State Representatives Howard Scipio (D) and Bill Dyson (D). Scipio, the Representative of the 93rd District which encompasses Stiles, Morse, Davenport and Pierson, won a primary vote in September, staving off both a challenger and charges of corruption. Although not convicted, Scipio was accused of using his powers as chairman of a committee dealing with tax assessment to give himself tax breaks. He has since been removed from the committee, and was being investigated on the charges.

Dyson is a long-time incumbent whose 94th district covers the remaind er of the Yale campus. A vocal advocate for urban issues, Dyson is one of the most controversial and respected members of the State House. He has been known to take issue with Yale for not being adequately involved in the city, and his work for the disadvantaged constituents in his district has made him a leader among Democrats and activists alike.

The final race which will be decided in New Haven on Nov. 5 is the contest for the 10th Senate district, which includes the entire Yale campus. Toni Harp (D) is seeking a third term in Hartford. A former alderwoman, Harp lives on Lynwood Avenue and has been a tireless worker for the poor. She supports aid to children and education reform, and she has worked hard to make Connecticut residents aware of the problems facing the inner cities and the need to resolve them. Opposing her is Steven Mullins, a resident of West Haven, Conn.. Mr. Mullins was unavailable for comment on his past record or his positions on anyi ssues in the election.

Also on the ballot this year will be three important initiatives. The first is a Connecticut State Constitutional amendment which will add a Victims' Bill of Rights. The actual details of the amendment are unavailable, and Senator Martin Looney (D-11), who worked on the initiative, was unavailable for comment. The second item on the ballot is a general vote on whether or not to apply for grants from the federal government for unspecified use in New Haven. While the mayor's office could not offer specifics on the nature of the grants, the procedure is considered perfectly normal by people in City Hall.

The final vote that Yale student's will cast this election is on a city initiative to increase the pay of the members of the Board of Aldermen from $2,000 per year to $5,000. This has been a question of some controversy during recent sessions of the Board, and the approval or denial of the proposal could impact the shape of the Board in the future.

Where you can rock your vote in New Haven

* Dwight Hall: Berkeley, Branford, Calhoun, Jonathan Edwards, Saybrook, Silliman, Timothy Dwight, Trumbull, the Law School and Old Campus

* 200 Orange Street: Davenport College an d Pierson College

* Wexler School on Dixwell Avenue: Morse College and Ezra Stiles

If you have not received your absentee ballot to date, call your local voter's registration office as soon as possible or 1-800-ROCK-VOTE. There are also numerous sites with information to help.