GOP picks Itshaky to challenge DeLauro

By Angela Carter
Register Staff
HAMDEN — Even at the local level, the word “change” — bounced around by presidential candidates this year — is ringing in the election cycle.
Boaz Itshaky, who was nominated by the Republican Party Saturday to challenge U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, said new political leaders are needed in the White House, Congress and local offices to take the country in a new direction.
The Bethany resident is an acupuncturist with a master’s degree in Oriental medicine. He moved to the United States from Israel in 1989. “Our most precious asset is freedom that comes through democracy,” he said. “There is a need for change across the board.”
In 2005, he ran for first selectman of Bethany but garnered only 52 votes. In 2006, he challenged state Sen. Joseph Crisco, Jr. D-17.
During his acceptance speech Saturday, Itshaky said he would provide an independent, thoughtful voice in Washington if he is successful in his congressional run against DeLauro.
The DeLauro campaign said the congresswoman welcomes Itshaky to the race and takes nothing for granted. She is seeking a 10th term in U.S. House of Representatives and is expected to get the Democratic Party’s nomination at its convention at 6 p.m. Monday at East Haven High School, 35 Wheelbarrow Road.
DeLauro sits on the influential House Appropriations and Budget Committees and serves as chairwoman of the Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Subcommittee and is a member of the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education and Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittees.
The GOP’s district convention was convened at the Thornton Wilder Hall Center.
“The gathering clouds of economic uncertainty require that we cut taxes, cut the growth of government and support our private sector to provide new forms of innovation and job creation. This is not a time for failed leadership, which is controlled by special interests and the old way of doing business. Yes, true change is needed because it is essential and center for what makes America so special,” Itshaky said.
Angela Carter can be reached at 789-5752 or acarter@nhregister.com.