Map produced by Genghis Conn of CT Local Politics, Modified to reflect Republican retirements from State House in yellow

With the end of the legislative session rapidly approaching, the list of Representatives in the Connecticut House who are not running for office this fall seems to grow on a daily basis - on both sides of the political aisle in both chambers.  The House of Representatives will look quite different in January 2009 when the new General Assembly is called into session.  The House Republican Caucus - the ”Fighting 44″ - will put a substantially different team on the field.  Two Members will bid for the higher office while five others will retire after long and commendable service to the State of Connecticut.

As is tradition, some members - two, in this case - will seek to make the jump to the State Senate.  Both Members ran unopposed in 2006, but represent districts where Republicans have the party registration advantage over Democrats.  State Rep. Toni Boucher, who currently represents the 143rd District (most of the town of Wilton), will bid for the open 26th State Senate seat, to be vacated by the retiring Sen. Judith Freedman.  The 26th - made up of Redding, Ridgefield, Wilton, Westport, and parts of New Canaan and Bethel - is fertile ground for Republican candidates, and Boucher should do well in the race.  Ned Lamont’s Treasurer, John Hartwell, will be running on the Democratic line.

Rep. Kevin Witkos, of the 17th (all of Canton, most of Avon), is vying for the 8th State Senate seat.  The retirement of Sen. Tom Herlihy from the Senate opens the hotly competitive seat for another close election.  Herlihy won by only 367 votes in 2006.

Rep. Ruth Fahrbach, of the 61st District (Windsor, East Granby, and Suffield), ran in a tough race against newcomer Derek Donnelly in 2006 and eeked out a 229 vote win.  She has announced her retirement from the House.  There are several Republican and Democratic candidates that may compete for the open seat, which should again be very competitive this fall.

Rep. Claudia “Dolly” Powers, has served as the State Representative for Greenwich’s 151st District for 16 years.  Her announced retirement at the end of the term will open up the overwhelmingly Republican district - 5265 Republicans versus 2832 Democrats - for a race.  Republican Alfred Camillo is expected to take on Democrat Edward T. Krumeich.

The Honorable Michael Caron of the 44th District (Killingly Sterling, Plainfield) will be leaving the House after 9 terms.  Caron’s personal popularlity in the district has long defied the strong Democratic registration advantage, and poses a challenge for the GOP in 2008.

Rep. Leonard Greene has represented Beacon Falls and Seymour (105th District) in the House since 1996 and will be hanging it up at the end of 2008.  Democrats narrowly outnumber Republicans in the district (3398 Dems to 2934 GOP) and could be one of the most exciting races to watch in 2008.  As is often the case, the 7,867 unaffiliated voters will be determinative. 

Newtown’s 106th district has elected State Rep. Julia Wasserman as its representative since 1991.  Wasserman has faced nominal opposition in recent years, and her departure may set the stage for a more competitive 2008 race.  The district has 4,589 Republicans to 3,711 Democrats.

The “Fighting 44″ will be a different bunch in 2009 - but with strong candidate recruitment efforts already well afoot and a resurgent House Republican Caucus in the lead on initiatives like the “No Tax Increase” Budget, they are well positioned for the future.

We will continue “Changing of the Guard” tomorrow with our analysis of the Democratic retirements in the House of Representatives, and discuss the Senate on Thursday.