Recent Yale grad shoots for a seat in the state Senate

Only one year out of college, Josh Geballe, ES '97, will appear on the election ballot on Tues., Nov. 3. Geballe is running for a seat in the Connecticut State Senate.

A Branford, Conn. native, Geballe is campaigning to represent the state's 12th District, which includes Branford, North Branford, Guilford, Madison, and parts of East Haven. His opponent, Republican incumbent Bill Aniskovitch, has held the seat since 1990.

COURTESY JOSHUA GEBALLE A tireless campaigner, Geballe faces a formidable three-time incumbent

However, Yale College Democrats head Josh Kagan, SM '00, thinks Geballe has a chance. "Historically, the 12th district has gone back and forth between Democrats and Republicans. It's a very mixed district; it's always competitive," Kagan said.

Environmental protection, notably a clean up of the notoriously filthy Long Island Sound, is a focus of Geballe's campaign. "The state has lost sight of its responsibility to protect its resources," Geballe said. He is also focusing on education, health care reform, and middle-class tax relief.

"[Connecticut Governor John] Rowland has tried to cut education funding; Geballe would fight for more," Kagan said. Geballe believes Connecticut must make its public schools safer, more nurturing environments for children. He also hopes to reform middle class tax policy and HMO policies, which he feels are restrictive for patients and doctors alike.

Family and friends describe Geballe as an energetic, down-to-earth man who loves what he does. "He totally has the bug; he lives and breathes this stuff," Geballe's father, Gordon Geballe, GRD '75, Assistant Dean of Yale's School of Forestry and Environmental Science, said. "As a parent, you only hope that your child will find something that he's into the way Josh is into this [campaign]."

"Josh really likes helping people," friend and campaign volunteer Jeremy Rappleye, ES '00, said. Kagan added, "He's a very strong, energetic speaker. He really focuses on the issues, and he relates to people well."

Geballe's campaign is strategically important to the Connecticut Democratic party. A Geballe victory could increase the Democrats' current 19-17 majority in the State Senate.

Geballe's success will depend on whether he can reach out to his constituents and demonstrate his commitment to his ideas. "Josh is an energetic campaigner. He's out there 10, 12, 14 hours a day talking to people," Kagan said. "I think his chances are really good."

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