Waterbury state Sen. Sam Caligiuri won the Republican nomination in the 5th Congressional District last night by a pretty comfortable margin - 40 percent to Justin Bernier's 31 percent and Mark Greenberg's 29 percent.

But in keeping with the geographic dynamics of the district over the past decade, that margin was by no means a consistent trend across the map.

In fact, Caligiuri placed first in 19 towns in the 5th District, while Bernier won 18 towns, and Greenberg won three (Danbury, Warren and Woodbury).

Bernier won Torrington and smaller towns throughout the Northwest Corner and down into New Milford, but the combined margin of victory in 11 of those towns, because population and Republican primary votes are relatively low, was 590.

He also beat Caligiuri by a combined margin of 978 votes in the Farmington Valley towns of Avon, Canton, Simsbury and Farmington and his hometown of Plainville.

But that was not enough to overcome Caligiuri's dominance in his home base of Waterbury.

He beat Bernier by a combined margin of 2,965 votes in Waterbury and the surrounding towns of Watertown, Wolcott, Southbury, Middlebury and Cheshire.

The two other major communities in the district, were basically a wash, with Caligiuri winning Meriden by a small margin, and Bernier winning New Britain by a small margin.

Caligiuri spoke during the primary campaign about the importance of geography in the general election.

He said that traditionally, the formula for Republican victory in this district is for the nominee to have a base of support that neutralizes the Democratic nominee's votes in one of the two major Democratic strongholds, Waterbury or New Britain.

Nancy Johnson used to win the district by neutralizing Democratic support in her base of New Britain.

Before her, John Rowland used to win by neutralizing his home base of Waterbury for the Democrats.

Caligiuri had argued that he would have similar support in Waterbury, which would be more important to victory in November than Bernier's base in the Farmington Valley, which would be expected to support a Republican regardless of where they are from.

Democratic Congressman Chris Murphy, seeking his third two-year term, is from Meriden.

On the map above, towns won by Bernier are colored in blue, towns won by Caligiuri are colored in red, and towns won by Greenberg are colored in green.

Plainville -- Talking Points Memo, a national news site, reported Thursday morning on a misleading mailer from Sam Caligiuri to voters throughout the Fifth Congressional district.

In the mailer, Caligiuri fraudulently refers to himself as the "Republican Nominee" to challenge incumbent Democrat Chris Murphy. The letter is postmarked July 27, two weeks prior to the August 10th Republican primary election.

According to the Talking Points Memo article, Caligiuri's opponent, Justin Bernier, is saying that the mailer may violate election law.

Here is a link to the TPM article: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/accusations-of-illegal-tactics-fly-in-connecticut-republican-primary.php

Plainville - Justin Bernier, Republican candidate for congressional district 5 today signed a pledge to oppose the "Cap and Trade" energy tax if elected to the House of Representatives in November. Bernier is the only candidate in the 5th district race to have signed the pledge.

Bernier signed the pledge before visiting the Plainville Electrical Products Company (PEPCO).

"PEPCO is the kind of company we ought to be encouraging and supporting in Connecticut," said Bernier. "This small business does high-end manufacturing that creates high-paying jobs in the energy industry --that's the future of America's economy. The Cap and Trade systems that Chris Murphy and Sam Caligiuri have supported hurt small businesses and families by raising the cost of energy even higher."

Murphy is a vocal supporter of the cap and trade bill -- he voted for the bill and publicly lobbied for it's final passage and implementation.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has scored the House plan as an $846 billion increase in federal revenue, a burden to be borne by taxpayers and consumers.

"Cap and Trade is a massive energy tax," Bernier said. "Americans will face hundreds of billions of dollars in new taxes if Chris Murphy gets his way on cap and trade. The end result will be higher prices on anything that requires energy to make or deliver - that's just about everything. Americans will face higher prices for everyday items, including groceries, appliances, and furniture, clothes and shoes, and of course, electricity and natural gas."

"Cap and Trade will move manufacturing jobs to China and India, where emissions standards are far less stringent than in the United States," said Bernier.

Bernier has proposed lower taxes on energy investment, streamlining the regulation process for new power plants and renewable energy sources, and ending frivolous lawsuits that unnecessarily delay energy projects for decades.

It's far from scientific, of course, but our poll question of the day at RegisterCitizen.Com asks readers who they are supporting in the race for Connecticut's 5th District congressional seat.

So far, the runaway winner, for the Aug. 10 Republican primary, is ... UNDECIDED.

One thing you won't get most candidates in Connecticut's Aug. 10 primary to talk about is whom they're supporting in races other than their own.

With the exception of the Ned Lamont-Mary Glassman vs. Dan Malloy-Nancy Wyman tickets in the Democratic primaries for governor and lieutenant governor, there are few public alliances between candidates across contested primary races.

In the Republican race for governor, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton dropped out (like Glassman on the Democratic side) to run for lieutenant governor as Michael Fedele's informal running mate. But the other two candidates, Tom Foley and Oz Griebel, chose not to run "with" a lieutenant governor nominee.

And when we asked our readers what slate of candidates they were supporting, it was all over the place. Even some who are supporting Fedele prefer his opponent in the lieutenant governor race, Lisa Wilson-Foley, and many supporting Boughton prefer Griebel or Foley over Fedele.

We looked for patterns of support between the U.S. Senate and 5th District Congress races, but honestly found none.

Support for Justin Bernier, or Sam Caligiuri, or even Mark Greenberg (who has endorsed Peter Schiff in the Senate race and vice versa) does not, apparently, tie to support to any one candidate for governor or Senate.

Justin Bernier, Republican candidate for U.S. Congress filed paperwork today with the Secretary of State's office to enter the primary for the 5th Congressional district of Connecticut.

Bernier received more than double the votes necessary to qualify for the primary ballot at the Republican convention in Hartford this past weekend.

Bernier issued the following statement upon the filing the paperwork to be place on the ballot:
"I am grateful for the tremendous support we are receiving from grass-roots Republicans who want a choice in this election. The Republican voters in Connecticut tell me they are hungry for new ideas and new leadership. This primary will allow us to debate the direction of America and our party during a serious time in our nation's history. The voters deserve a choice and an opportunity for a fresh start, and that's what we'll give them."

Connecticut's primary is scheduled for August 1oth.

Fifth District Republican congressional candidate Sam Caligiuri raised $43,256 during the month of April, compared to $29,104 by rival Justin Bernier and $7,872 by also-ran Mark Greenberg.

Bernier spins the fundraising picture differently, trumpeting the fact that his campaign had more "cash on hand after debt" May 1 than Caligiuri, $237,723 to $157,390.

TERRYVILLE, Conn. (March 23) – The Plymouth Republican Town Committee (RTC) has endorsed Justin Bernier for U.S. Congress in the 5th District, it said via news release.
Plymouth is the tenth Republican Town Committee to endorse Bernier. He has been endorsed by twice as many RTCs than all other candidates combined.
“I am honored to have earned the support of the Plymouth Republican Town Committee,” Bernier said in a statement. “For the last year my campaign has been about winning the support of Republicans in the town committees because they are the people who will win this election come November.”
“I am committed to improving the business environment,” Bernier continued, “so we can create good-paying jobs in Connecticut. We need less government spending and taxes, cheaper energy, and real reforms that make health care affordable for all American families.”
Newly elected RTC Chairman Keith G. Golnik said he supported Bernier because of his energy and different approach to politics.
“Justin is a fresh face instead of an enshrined politician,” Golnik said. “We need to elect people who will go to Washington to change the way we do business in Congress.”
Golnik, an Army veteran, also praised Bernier’s service in the military: “Justin served his country in Afghanistan, so I know he will watch out for veterans and military families when he gets to Congress.”
Bernier congratulated Golnik on his election as chairman, citing his hard work in the 2009 elections.
“Keith is a tireless campaigner who understands the importance of creating jobs in central Connecticut,” said Bernier. “I know he will continue the fantastic job that David Goodwin, Plymouth’s previous chairman, did for the town committee.”
Importance of Town Committees
Bernier, a Plainville resident, has demonstrated growing support for his campaign in the greater Waterbury area. He was recently endorsed by Middlebury First Selectman Tom Gormley and key members of the Thomaston RTC.
In Connecticut, Republican Town Committees are important because the state party uses a convention system to endorse Republican candidates for federal office. In May, Connecticut Republicans will gather in Hartford to endorse candidates for the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and state-wide offices. About 95 percent of the delegates to the convention will come from the ranks for the RTCs.
Bernier has also been endorsed by eight State Central Committee members who collectively represent 27 of 41 towns in the 5th Congressional District.
Bernier continues to outpace his Republican competitors for the party nomination. He has outraised each of his Republican competitors by more than two-to-one, and he is the only candidate who has been put “On the Radar” by the National Republican Congressional Committee.

WARREN, Conn. (March 18, 2010) – Justin Bernier, Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Connecticut’s 5th District, will hold a reception and dinner at the Roosters Tail Inn in Warren on Monday, March 22.
The event is hosted by Ms. Barnes Brooks, Mr. Craig Nelson, and Mrs. Marsha Bobalik Smith. A meet-and-greet reception will begin at 6 p.m. followed by a sit-down dinner at 7 p.m. for which tickets are $50. Please RSVP to Megann O’Malley at (860) 351-5805or via e-mail at rsvp@bernierforcongress.org.
The Roosters Tail Inn is at 11 Cornwall Road in Warren. Justin Bernier is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and a former member of Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s cabinet. For more information, visit www.bernierforcongress.org .

NEW FAIRFIELD, Conn. (March 17, 2010) – Susan Chapman, New Fairfield’s Republican Selectman, today endorsed Justin Bernier for U.S. Congress in Connecticut’s 5th District.
“I am proud to endorse Justin Bernier for Congress,” said Chapman. “With his service in Afghanistan as a Navy intelligence officer, he understands what it takes to keep our country safe; with his background in economics and the private sector he understands what it will take to jumpstart Connecticut’s economy.”
Bernier said he was honored to have Chapman’s endorsement: “Susan Chapman is a leader who listens and her commitment to public service is second to none. Her support will be a tremendous boost to our campaign in New Fairfield.”
Susan Chapman is serving her first term as New Fairfield Selectman. She previously served on the town Planning Commission for four years and has been a leader of the New Fairfield Middle School and High School PTO’s. Before moving to Connecticut Chapman was a proud Army wife, during which time she was involved in family support groups. She and her husband Ken are the proud parents of three children.
Justin Bernier is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and a former member of Governor M. Jodi Rell’s cabinet. Unlike most congressional candidates, he has a background in both economics and national security. He is the only 5th District candidate who has been named to the National Republican Congressional Committee’s “Young Guns” program. He and his wife Jennie live in Plainville.

Iraq Veterans for Congress, a national veterans group, today endorsed Republican Justin Bernier for U.S. Congress in Connecticut's 5th District.
D. Patrick Mahoney, Vice President of Iraq Veterans for Congress (IVC), said, “We need more veterans serving in Congress, and with his service in Afghanistan, Justin Bernier understands what it takes to defend our country. IVC is proud to support Justin’s campaign for Congress in Connecticut’s 5th District.”
Mahoney went on to say, “Justin served as Connecticut’s Director of Military Affairs, so he also has experience serving the military as a civilian.”
Bernier responded, “I am honored to have the endorsement of Iraq Veterans for Congress and I thank its members for their vote of confidence. We need more veterans in Congress, so I applaud Mr. Mahoney and his organization for their efforts to make this goal a reality.”
“We need more members of Congress watching out for our injured and retired veterans,” Bernier added. “I’m especially concerned that wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are not getting the health care and access to facilities they need to recover. The veterans spending bill needs to be the first priority in our budget – not the last.”
Iraq Veterans for Congress was founded in 2008 with the mission of electing veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan to the U.S. House and Senate. In 2008 two of IVC’s endorsed candidates, Congressman Duncan Hunter, Jr. (CA-52) and Congressman Mike Coffman (CO-6), won election. This year the organization has endorsed more than thirty candidates across the country.
Bernier, a Navy intelligence officer, is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan from 2007. He is a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Bernier served in Governor M. Jodi Rell’s cabinet as the Director of Military Affairs. He and his wife, Jennie, live in Plainville.

Mark Greenberg, Republican candidate for the 5th Congressional District seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, will speak at the Torrington Rotary Club meeting at noon tomorrow (Tuesday, March 2) at the Torrington Elks Club.

The club has already heard from one of Greenberg's Republican primary opponents, Justin Bernier, who spoke last fall.

Greenberg will speak to more Rotarians on Thursday, this time at the Litchfield-Morris Rotary Club.

Here's a bio provided by his campaign:

"As an independent businessman and entrepreneur, Mark Greenberg has dedicated his life to improving his community. He knows firsthand what it takes to create and sustain jobs, as he has done over the last 30 years, providing a livelihood for local families.

"After graduating from Cornell University, Mark founded two successful companies. His first company, Adirondack Mobile Telephone and Adirondack Radio Telephone, supplied mobile telecommunication service throughout upstate New York. It was also the official provider of pagers and mobile phones used during the Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid New York.

"In 1980, Mark created MGRE, a firm that is now one of the largest real estate management firms based upon residential properties managed.
Mark invested in our communities by opening several local businesses including The Market, a food market specializing in natural fish, meat, and groceries and Goshen Hardware, an old-time hardware store servicing the northwest corner.

"Mark and his wife Linda founded The Simon Foundation, Inc, an animal rescue shelter, which has helped adopt more than 500 dogs to loving homes. The foundation is slated to open its new Bloomfield, Connecticut rescue facility in December 2009.

"Mark and Linda live with their four young children in Northwest Connecticut."

Today, Peter Lawson, Chairman of the Canaan Republican Town Committee, has endorsed Caligiuri’s candidacy. The Bernier Campaign also claims to have obtained the endorsement of Chairman Lawson.
However, when asked about the endorsement, a representative for Caligieri opponent Justin Bernier's office pointed out that the town's RTC as a whole voted to endorse Bernier several weeks ago.
"I am very impressed with the way Sam led the city of Waterbury out of a devastating situation. His priorities of bringing fiscal conservatism and government reform to Washington are very clear, and exactly what we need to start fixing Washington. His outstanding record of service as Acting Mayor of Waterbury and as a State Senator make him the strongest, most credible candidate in this race," said Lawson.
"Earning Chairman Lawson’s support is both humbling and key to building the district-wide support base needed to run a winning campaign. I look forward to working with him and the rest of the Canaan RTC to ensure a Republican victory this November," said Caligiuri.

Republican congressional candidate Justin Bernier says that the recent financial statement issues by his opponent, State Sen. Sam Caligiuri, doesn’t tell the whole story.
"If you read between the lines," Bernier told The Register Citizen, "he spent more than he brought in."
Bernier said that if you look at Caligiuri’s financial disclosures, "he lost $10,000."
Caligiuri announced that he raised over $100,000 from the time he launched his Congressional campaign on November 24 through the end of the quarter on December 31.
"It looks like he spent 110,000," Bernier said.
Bernier’s campaign is listing $207,000 in cash on hand as of its most recent financial disclosure.
"We’re actually putting money in the bank," Bernier said. He’s bragging about what he’s brought in, when we’re putting a lot away."

Today, Connecticut GOP Chairman Chris Healy tipped his hand — he wants Sen. Sam Caligiuri to run against Chris Murphy.
"Over the last few weeks, State Senator Sam Caligiuri and I have discussed his candidacy for statewide office. After much thought and discussion with other leaders and activists, I have urged him to focus his energies on the Fifth Congressional district where I believe he would be a top candidate," Healy said.
In response to Chairman Healy’s call for Sen. Caligiuri to enter the Fifth Congressional district race, Caligiuri made the following statement:
"I want to thank Chairman Healy for his kind words and encouragement of my potential candidacy in the Fifth Congressional District. Over the last several days I have been exploring this option with Chairman Healy and other leaders in the party who have reached out to me in support of this move. My goal has always been to best serve the people of Connecticut by reviving our economy, reforming government, and restoring fiscal responsibility. Over the coming days, I will make a decision on how I can best continue to fight for those principles and serve the people of Connecticut."
But what happened to Justin Bernier? Bernier was endorsed already by Greg Cogswell, Torrington’s Republican Town Committee chair. Will this pit Republicans against Republicans? Old guard against tea party GOP?