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RPCV McNally launches petition drive
RPCV McNally launches petition drive
McNally launches petition drive
By RAY HACKETT
Norwich Bulletin
NEW LONDON -- The petitions won't be available until Tuesday, but the grassroots petitioning effort of Democratic congressional candidate Shaun McNally is officially under way.
McNally launched his petitioning drive Friday with about 50 volunteers as he opened his campaign office in the Dewart Building in downtown New London. The goal is to obtain more than the required 2,500 signatures in the 13 days, beginning Tuesday, leading up to the May 10 2nd District Democratic convention. The actual deadline to submit petitions to qualify for a primary is May 23.
"This is a people's campaign," McNally said to his supporters, "and I need each and every one of you. Without you, there is no campaign."
McNally, a former state representative from Norwich who now lives in Deep River, is vying with Norwich businessman James Sullivan for the Democratic nomination, and the right to take on Republican two-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons in the November general election.
Because of the elimination of the 15 percent rule, where potential primary challengers were required to garner 15 percent of the delegate vote at the convention in order to qualify as a primary challenger, McNally has opted to pursue both avenues in his quest for the party's nomination. However, it is clear that his primary focus is the petitioning effort. The campaign is hoping to have an organized petition in all 65 towns in the 2nd District.
Sullivan, a former Norwich alderman, is the frontrunner in the race, and is expected to win the convention endorsement next month. McNally, although not conceding the endorsement to Sullivan, is promising to stay in the race and force an August primary, saying he would have more than enough signatures to qualify for a primary by convention time.
"Shaun's up to the task. He's been the underdog before," said Dr. John Tauro of Norwich, a longtime friend of McNally's.
McNally, who has refused to accept PAC money in his campaign, trails Sullivan in the money race, reporting just over $25,000 cash on hand as of March 31 compared to Sullivan's $165,000.
Simmons leads both of his Democratic challengers in money having topped the $1 million mark in money raised and more than $650,000 cash on hand as of his March 31 filing.
rhackett@norwich.gannett.com