Elections panel looking for new chief

Associated Press

Updated: Feb 3, 2012 5:24 PM

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The State Elections Enforcement Commission held a special meeting to choose an executive director and general counsel, days after rescinding its job offer to the former Republican mayor of Middletown.

The State Elections Enforcement Commission has appointed a Hamden lawyer as executive director and general counsel.

Michael J. Brandi, who also was chief administrative officer for the town of Hamden, was appointed Friday, days after the job offer to the former Republican mayor of Middletown was rescinded.

Commissioner Stephen F. Cashman said Brandi was selected following a nationwide search.

The panel had announced that Sebastian Guiliano, who lost a re-election bid last November, would be nominated to succeed the retired Albert Lenge. Democrats on the legislature's Government Administration and Elections Committee said his nomination came too soon after serving a political office and urged the commission to make a different choice for the independent watchdog agency.

They argued that a nominee should be out of partisan politics for three years.

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