2014 Connecticut Governor's race: on Principles & Values

Tom Foley: 1981: Arrested for 1st-degree attempted assault in car crash

In 2013, The Courant managed to obtain two police reports on the incident that had previously not been available. One report said the other car, which had 5 people in it, was hit 3 times on the left rear fender and twice on the left front fender in 3 separate locations over about a mile, according to the paper. The offense report said that one of the collisions occurred when the cars were traveling at 50 mph and the occupants of the other car did not feel it was an accident.

"I disagree with all of that. Certainly the 50 mph. If that had been the case, doesn't it sound like it wouldn't have been dismissed?" he said. The candidate admits it was his fault, but the charges were dropped.

Tom Foley: Will not participate in primary debates

Media organizations are sponsoring two televised debates next month on Fox Connecticut and NBC 30: Fox and The Hartford Courant are taping a debate April 11 to air Sunday, April 13; NBC 30 is airing a live debate April 17 at 7 p.m.

The campaign manager for Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said he hopes Foley reconsiders: "State Republicans have an important choice to make in the race for governor. Debates are an integral part of the democratic process, and voters deserve to hear from all the candidates."

Tom Foley: AdWatch: NYC residents should move to CT under new governor

The 30-second spot tries to court New York voters who are unhappy with incoming Mayor Bill DeBlasio, a Democrat who leans farther to the left than current Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Foley says in the ad:

"With your new mayor, I know many of you are thinking about leaving. Connecticut, with the same progressive policies you're about to see in your city, may not be first on your mind. But wait a second. Connecticut next year will probably elect a new governor. When it does, Connecticut once again will be the place people want to be in the northeast."

Tom Foley: Partial facial paralysis means he smiles on only left side

While Foley's condition is not immediately noticeable, the Republican said he knows it can give people a misperception about his personality--a potential problem for someone trying to connect with voters. "It affects a little bit of how you look. But probably more so, it affects your ability to communicate, because so much of communication is through facial expression," Foley said.

Foley requests that TV cameras shoot him from his left side and he tries to be aware of someone sitting by his right side, to make sure they don't think he's disinterested in them. "A lot of times people can't pick up the emotion if they're looking at this side of my face," he said, pointing to his right side.