Since State Senator Louis DeLuca (R- Woodbury) was first elected to the State Senate in 1991, he has been a dominant figure that quickly rose to become the Senate Minority Leader from 2001 to 2007. This week, the seasoned senator stepped down amidst a growing clamor of elected officials demanding his resignation.

DeLuca's tenure in the Connecticut State Senate was jeopardized back in June. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of conspiring with trash hauler, James Galante, to threaten his grandson-in-law, whom he suspected of abusing his granddaughter. At the time, DeLuca stated that while he had no intentions of resigning his senate seat, he would hand over the Republican senate leadership post to fellow Senator John McKinney (Southport).

In wake of the incident, two months later, the Senate voted to create an unprecedented Bipartisan Committee of Review to investigate the DeLuca's conduct. The committee reviewed countless court transcripts sentencing reports, and other official documents. DeLuca and his lawyer even appeared to testify before the committee.

The Bipartisan Committee members agreed that in order to render a decision regarding DeLuca's fate in the Senate, the members needed to have access to FBI transcripts of conversations between DeLuca and an informant. On Tuesday, as the Senate was on the verge of convening to vote on whether to grant the committee subpoena powers to obtain the transcripts, DeLuca called a press conference announcing his resignation. Surrounded by emotional colleagues, friends and family, DeLuca gave a speech in his Capitol office ending his impressive 17-year senate career and months of speculation of how this matter would end.

DeLuca's resignation is effective as of November 30. A long time political figure and party confidant, DeLuca has vowed not to fade away and to remain a steadfast advocate against domestic violence here in Connecticut. Senator DeLuca may not return to the CT General Assembly, but he will surely continue to be a presence in the state.

A special election to fill DeLuca's seat will likely be called on January 15 or 22. It's common practice for the current state representatives from the senate district to consider running for the open seat. With a solid Republican base in the district, speculation is that the Senate Republicans can hold onto the seat. Potential candidates include State Rep. Sean Williams, who has said previously he is not interested in moving to the upper chamber, and State Rep. Art O'Neill, who has earned his stripes tackling some very tricky and complex negotiations and policy issues over the years. The people of the 32nd district certainly will look for someone who is capable of filling very, very large shoes.

Just one week after the close of the 2007 municipal elections (except for the open state supreme court case brought by State Rep. Chris Caruso to challenge to the primary election results in Bridgeport), the players of state government have already turned to the 2010 state-wide elections!

Since the public learned of Governor M. Jodi Rell's husband's surgery last week, rumors have swirled about the governor's future political plans. For weeks prior to the successful surgery, many in the media and in politics had already heard that the Governor's family concerns would dictate her future. Those in-the-know believe those whispers are unfounded. Nonetheless, speculation has begun on the potential outlook of the 2010 Governor's race.

Despite last week's Quinnipiac University poll where Rell continues to lead all elected officials across the country in popularity with an unbelievable 77 percent, the question about her taking another run for a second term remains. If she ultimately chooses to take a pass, you can bet Connecticut's political hierarchy will be shifted as power players seek new roles.

Many political insiders believe that there are a few who could step into Rell's shoes if they were certain that the governor was taking herself out of the running for a second term. The short list includes Lt. Governor Mike Fedele (Stamford) and State Senator John McKinney (Southport). This could potentially leave the field wide open for an array of Democratic candidates. The most talked about potential candidate is, of course, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (Stamford).

Blumenthal's name has been mentioned for the governor's post since 1994. He has dedicated the majority of his political career to the attorney general role since he was elected in1991, but has yet to jump into the race for governor. While Blumenthal has not yet officially announced his intention to run for Governor, many believe 2010 is his best shot at the top seat in Connecticut. Besides the potentially favorable political landscape in 2010, Blumenthal's time in office has made him a well-known figure across the state and his children will be older, perhaps prompting him to finally run for higher office.

While Blumenthal might be the most talked about potential candidate, he would certainly not be alone in the race for governor. Other Democrats that may throw their hats into the ring include Senate President Donald Williams (Brooklyn), and past contenders New Haven Mayor John DeStefano and Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy.

Speculation that Malloy is eyeing the Governor's seat again increased recently with the re-launching of the website he created for his 2006 gubernatorial campaign. "It's not really about politics, it's about policy," Malloy said. Still, some say that a website is an inexpensive way for a politician to build momentum for an election. Malloy has drawn even more attention to his site with the help of some well-known contributors including State Senator Andrew McDonald (Stamford) and State Rep. William Tong (Stamford), and State Senator and recently elected Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch.

As potential gubernatorial candidates consider whether or not to run, others consider how to maneuver for the vacancies those candidates may leave behind. "I would definitely look at running for attorney general if Richard was running for Governor," said Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz (Middletown). Former State Senate leader, George Jepsen (Ridgefield), has also been named as a contender for the job. If Bysiewicz ran for attorney general, then former Lt. Governor Kevin Sullivan (West Hartford) has said that he would try for the secretary of state's position.

A lot seems to be riding on Blumenthal's decision to run for higher office. State Republican Chairman Christopher Healey is skeptical that Blumenthal will finally step up to the plate, "Dick Blumenthal wants to be appointed governor or wants it handed to him." For now, Blumenthal and the other potential candidates for state office still have time to make their decision, but the race will soon begin!

We would like to recognize Verizon Business for its admirable pledge to support U.S. troops this holiday season. Below is an excerpt from Verizon describing its upcoming charitable activities:

As part of its ongoing commitment to support U.S. troops domestically and abroad, Verizon Business is again providing free phone calls during this holiday season for U.S. Armed Forces personnel stationed in Iraq.

For the fifth consecutive year, Verizon Business will provide the calls for Iraq-based military personnel, from Nov. 21 through Nov. 28 and from Dec. 21 through Jan. 3. The calls home are made possible through a Verizon Business state-of-the-art mobile communications facility that was outfitted with phones and deployed to Iraq.

"Hearing the voice of a loved one can go a long way to bolster the spirits during the holidays," said Susan Zeleniak, vice president of federal markets for Verizon Business. "The women and men in the U.S. armed forces make sacrifices every day, and Verizon Business has made it a tradition to help the troops stay connected with their loved ones at home during the holidays."

In addition, Verizon Business is the first USO-Metro Partner to provide financial support to all three Washington D.C.-area airport USO lounges. Besides providing funding for the lounges, Verizon Business also provides them with free phone calling anywhere in the world via wireless phones using Verizon Business voice-over-Internet-protocol service.

Thank you to Verizon for helping U.S. soldiers connect with their loved ones throughout the holidays and year- round!

Because of the upcoming shortened work week due to Thanksgiving, we will not have a newsletter on Friday, November 30. Instead, In the Loop will return on Friday, December 7. We wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving!