Tom Foley in 2014 Connecticut Governor's race
On Jobs:
OpEd: His company moved 3,000 jobs to Mexico
Foley said that Gov. Malloy "did run this state into a ditch. You've broken this economy." The governor was unbowed. Capitalizing on an opportunity to highlight the callous corporate maneuvers that he has said characterized
Foley's career as a private-equity manager, Malloy cast his opponent as out of touch with ordinary residents: "I didn't lose 3,000 jobs on a company that I owned," Malloy said. "I didn't move jobs to Mexico. I don't own a $10 million house and a
$5 million boat and a $1 million plane and not pay taxes in the state of Connecticut. That's not who I am."Complaining about what he called overly generous state investments in corporations during Malloy's tenure, Foley said, "The idea of the governor
and his staff negotiating with a very sophisticated group of businesspeople--I'm a little worried for Connecticut taxpayers."
Foley listed corporations he said had eliminated jobs in Connecticut over the last three and a half years.
Source: N. Y. Times on 2014 Connecticut Gubernatorial debate
Oct 17, 2014
On Jobs:
Raise minimum wage nationally, but focus on jobs in CT
The minimum wage is a fairness issue, so I support raising the minimum wage nationally to help people who struggle the most to earn a living. But Connecticut's problem isn't the minimum wage. Connecticut's problem is that far too many people,
particularly young minorities in our cities, have no job at all. The job of a governor is to support policies and create an environment where high value added jobs, not minimum wage jobs, are available for everyone who wants one.
Governor Malloy hasn't done that with his huge tax increase and other policies that have cost us jobs and hurt working families. I am running for governor because I want to turn that around.
I want everyone in Connecticut to have a job that pays much more than the minimum wage so workers can comfortably support themselves and their family and move on to even greater opportunities.
Source: 2014 Connecticut Governor campaign website, TomFoleyCT.com
Sep 1, 2014
On Welfare & Poverty:
New urban enterprise zones and urban renewal initiatives
I want everyone in Connecticut to have a job that pays much more than the minimum wage so workers can comfortably support themselves and their family and move on to even greater opportunities. Governor Malloy hasn't done that with his huge tax increase
and other policies that have cost us jobs and hurt working families. I am running for governor because I want to turn that around. I want everyone in Connecticut to have a job that pays much more than the minimum wage so workers can
comfortably support themselves and their family and move on to even greater opportunities.I have a plan for bringing more and better jobs to Connecticut including new urban enterprise zones, workforce training programs, better transportation access to
New Haven and Bridgeport, and urban renewal initiatives. Working together with our legislature, creating more and better jobs for Connecticut's working families will be my number one priority as governor.
Source: 2014 Connecticut Governor campaign website, TomFoleyCT.com
Sep 1, 2014
On Budget & Economy:
Tax credits are spending; oppose $400M job expansion credits
Tom Foley and John McKinney traded barbs in a lively debate Sunday. McKinney, the state's minority Senate leader, voted for an increase in cigarette taxes to fund tax credits to support the state's film and television industry, and supported increases in
taxes on petroleum to pay for new Metro North railcars. "It's called leadership," McKinney said."Raising taxes is leadership? That's how you would lead as governor?" Foley said. McKinney supported a bill that allowed United Technologies Corp. to use
$400 million in unused tax credits in exchange for guarantees that the company would expand and hire more workers. Foley opposes the deal and says the package increases state spending. "John is using career-politician talk.
He is saying tax credits are OK," Foley said. "Tax credits are spending."
"Tom, it's not spending not to tax someone," McKinney said. "Now you are talking like a Democrat."
Source: Wall Street Journal on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial debate
Aug 10, 2014
On Gun Control:
Newtown law added inconveniences on law-abiding citizens
Tom Foley is critical of the state's sweeping gun control laws passed after the 2012 elementary school shooting in Newtown. But when asked what measures he would support, Foley wouldn't say.Foley declined to take a position on the Connecticut
law that prohibits the sale of ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. The ban was signed into law by Gov. Dan Malloy (D) last year as part of a comprehensive package that also expanded background checks for private gun sales and broadened
the state's assault weapons ban to include newer firearms models. "I'm not going to rewrite the bill, but there were a lot of inconveniences put on law-abiding citizens that wouldn't have prevented what happened in Newtown," Foley said. "These guns were
bought with a background check and everything was legal. My bill would have been different." When pressed further on what that alternative bill might look like, Foley said, "I'm not going to answer that question."
Source: Huffington Post on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Aug 7, 2014
On Technology:
No comment on reducing mass transit funding
Foley was short on specifics when quizzed on a number of issues. The Connecticut Post reported that the Greenwich millionaire
would not say whether he would reduce mass transit funding, or identify which state regulations he would wish to roll back.
Source: Huffington Post on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Aug 7, 2014
On Immigration:
House child refugee immigrants at Southbury Training School
Connecticut Republican Party gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley, has questioned Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's decision to immediately say "no" to housing child immigrants at the Southbury Training School. "I was a little bit surprised with the governor's
decision because it was so firm and so quick. When you're dealing with young children, even if they're not here legally, you ought to at least enter into a thoughtful dialogue, as how we as a state might be able to help," Foley said.
Source: CTPolitix.com blog on 2014 Connecticut governor race
Jul 20, 2014
On Drugs:
Recreational marijuana use is a gateway drug
Both men said they opposed the legalization of recreational marijuana use, calling it a "gateway drug."
[Foley's primary opponent John] McKinney noted he voted in the legislature against marijuana decriminalization and the legalization of cannabis for medical uses.
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial debate
Jul 17, 2014
On Energy & Oil:
No gas tax increase to pay for rail transport
Foley criticized [primary opponent John] McKinney for voting in 2005 to raise the gross receipts tax on petroleum, which was part of a bipartisan bill that financed nearly $1 billion in transportation infrastructure, including new rail cars for
Metro-North and a new railroad repair yard."It was a historic investment in our transportation infrastructure," McKinney said. "And for someone from Fairfield County like Tom to be opposed to new rail cars, fixing a rail line, improving mass
transportation, fixing bridges--after even President Obama has condemned the Malloy administration's practices on our roads and bridges--it is shocking to me."
Foley ignored the gibe about transportation and repeated his criticism of McKinney for
supporting higher gasoline taxes--too much of which was spent for goods and services other than transportation. He said the deal was the approach of an insider, the word he uses brand McKinney and Malloy as two of a kind.
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial debate
Jul 17, 2014
On Gun Control:
Let stand current gun laws, but no specific proposals
Foley said he dislikes some of the sweeping gun controls enacted in response to the Sandy Hook school massacre in Newtown, but offered no specifics. [Foley's primary opponent John] McKinney tried to capitalize on Foley's reticence. McKinney said. "When
the Newtown tragedy happened, I had the courage to take a stand and fight for the people I represent. Tom sat on the sidelines and lobbed criticisms, and he has yet to offer one specific plan about what he would do."Foley let the remark pass.
Foley has made the calculation there is no profit in expressing an opinion about whether the state was right to ban the sales of military-style weapons such as the AR-15 rifle and magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. Instead, Foley has tried
to neutralize the issue by saying he would not seek the repeal or the revision of the law, which McKinney voted for and Malloy signed. In a GOP primary, polls indicate the advantage lies not with the legislator who voted for gun control.
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial debate
Jul 17, 2014
On Immigration:
We need a federal comprehensive immigration policy
Without saying they would have eventually reached a different conclusion, Foley and [primary opponent John] McKinney both suggested Malloy was hasty in refusing a request by the Obama administration to house some of the
Central American children who here illegally and are awaiting deportation hearings."This problem originates with the failure of our federal government to come up with a comprehensive immigration policy,"
Foley said. "But I have to tell you I was a little surprised at how quickly Gov. Malloy made the decision to not try to accommodate some of these young people."
McKinney accused Malloy, who has supported drivers' licenses and in-state tuition for illegal immigrants under some circumstances, of making a political decision. "We don't need leaders who make decisions based on polling," McKinney said.
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial debate
Jul 17, 2014
On Education:
In-district public school choice, money follows the child
On education, Foley would concentrate on policy changes that would impact schools with bad academic outcomes, while leaving successful schools alone. He said mandating the Common Core Standards and a standard teacher evaluation system is a mistake;
Foley would institute an A-F grading system to measure how the schools are doing.For those schools that aren't doing well, you need to have "in-district public school choice, money follows the child."
Foley said parents would make the decision on where to send their kids and he would revise the state grant per child by equating it with the child's needs.
"It shouldn't be a flat number, which is what happens today,"
Foley said. "That grant should be variable depending on the needs of the child," with less money for capable, independent students with a lot of enrichment at home and more for special needs children, he said.
Source: New Haven Register on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2014
On Education:
Charters are part of the solution, but not whole solution
Asked about the criticism of charter schools that they underserve bilingual students and those with with special needs, Foley dimissed this. "The criticism of charter schools is that they are nonunion," Foley said. "That's the big political problem and i
Source: New Haven Register on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2014
On Health Care:
Post costs for treatments to give consumers options
Foley said about 1/3 of the budget is related to healthcare spending and he wants to get at those basic costs at the hospital and physician level. "If you get the whole healthcare services industry to deliver their services more efficiently, then
Connecticut would save a lot of money," he said.Foley would like to see more transparency with posted costs for treatments to give consumers options. "Nobody is taking costs into account when they make these decisions," Foley said, which leaves a
situation where efficiencies will never develop around delivering a service.
"When the government is such a large consumer of healthcare services, they have the opportunity to come in and say 'No. You are not going to get that MRI (at a specific
hospital) you are going to have it done at some other hospital or some clinic,'" Foley said. He said by lowering the cost of healthcare, those fixed costs will go down. "I think the way our hospital structure is set up is very high cost," Foley said.
Source: New Haven Register on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2014
On Principles & Values:
1981: Arrested for 1st-degree attempted assault in car crash
A controversial issue that came up was his arrest in 1981 related to a car crash in Southhampton NY. He described it in 2010 as minor and something that had occurred at a low speed. He was charged with first-degree attempted assault, and spent a night in
the police lockup, but the charge was later dropped.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.
Source: New Haven Register on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2014
On Education:
Local control instead of Common Core mandates
Foley was critical of statewide Common Core assessments on schools, whether they are doing well or not. He said we have some of the best public schools in the country."I don't know why the governor would be interfering with those schools who are doing
well under local control and mandating things like Common Core assessments," he said. "I adhere to the principal 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it," Foley said. "Let's go fix the schools that aren't working and let's leave alone those that are."
He accused Malloy of not engaging teachers and administrators when the process of teacher evaluations was changed and Common Core standards were starting to be put into effect.
"I'm a good listener. I like to incorporate everybody's views.
I like to make sure that solutions incorporate the suggestions and hopefully gain the cooperation of those people who are going to be relied on to put them into effect," he said.
Source: New Haven Register on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Jun 16, 2014
On Jobs:
Pledge not to change public employee collective bargaining
Tom Foley reiterated his pledge not to attempt any changes in collective bargaining rights for public employees, lay off state workers or ask that their contracts be reopened as he balances the budget, if he were to become governor.
The Republican gubernatorial candidate spoke to the 300 delegates to the Connecticut AFL-CIO convention, where he conceded his chances of an endorsement by the labor unions were slim.
Source: New Haven Register on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Jun 16, 2014
On Principles & Values:
Will not participate in primary debates
Tom Foley, the front-runner in a six-candidate field for the Republican nomination for governor, will not participate in debates until after the GOP nominating convention May 17, his spokesman said: "He's decided between now the convention his
focus should really be on the delegates who are going to be making the decisions at the convention. He said he's going to be participating in debates following the conventions."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."
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Mar 13, 2014
On Corporations:
We pay huge sums in corporate welfare to keep jobs in CT
Tom Foley has spoken up again about Connecticut's business climate. The layoff of 600 employees at Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford is "another example of Connecticut's anti-business policy agenda driving good manufacturing jobs out of state,"
candidate Foley said. Foley goes on to accuse Gov. Dannel Malloy of "paying huge sums in corporate welfare" to keep jobs in Connecticut.
Is Foley opposed to the recent agreement between Connecticut and United Technologies Corp. to keep the corporation's headquarters and engineering forces in Connecticut and expanding them? Is that the type of "corporate welfare" he opposes?
Foley knows that competition for new industry may be "corporate welfare," but when you are in competition with other states you must play the game to attract industry.
Source: Journal Inquirer OpEd on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Mar 5, 2014
On Corporations:
Investigate Economic and Community Development loan fraud
Tom Foley called for a legislative investigation into a state Department of Economic and Community Development loan program--citing the case of Earl O'Garro Jr., an insurance businessman who received two DECD loans totaling more than $350,000, and now
is under federal investigation. The DECD's loans to O'Garro, on which he has defaulted, "raise serious questions about the administration and oversight of the DECD Small Business Express program," Foley said.Foley called O'Garro "the central figure
in a federal corruption investigation involving the Treasurer of the City of Hartford"--Adam Cloud--"and members of his family who are closely connected to Gov. Malloy." Cloud's father, businessman Sanford Cloud, served on Gov. Dannel Malloy's
transition team after Malloy's 2010 election victory over Foley.
Foley also questioned other Small Business Express program loans or grants--including $5 million in economic aid to Back9Network, a Hartford-based cable golf network with ties to Malloy.
Source: Hartford Courant on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Jan 2, 2014
On Government Reform:
AdWatch: Complains about ethics, but was fined for PAC
Foley recently wrote an OpEd titled "Democrats exploited ethical loophole" (Dec. 26)--a hit piece designed to whitewash his ethically spotty record as a big-money Republican. The problems with Foley's OpEd are two-fold: first, his accusations of improper
fundraising are false; and second, Foley's own record flies in the face of everything he claims to hold dear.First, Foley's entire OpEd is based on the false notion that lobbyist & contractor donation standards were loosened in a law recently passed.
It's simply untrue.Foley also left out of his oped that he personally solicited contributions from lobbyists and state contractors as one of the main speakers at the Connecticut Republican Party's major annual fundraiser. It's either deeply cynical
or misleading to criticize others for doing something you've already done.
Foley was recently fined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission for improperly using a PAC to promote his candidacy for governor.
Source: Connecticut Post on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Jan 2, 2014
On Homeland Security:
Appoint veteran-friendly Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
Foley is using his civilian service as Pres. George W. Bush's director of private-sector development in Iraq as a hook for a fundraising letter to veterans, one of the end-of-year flurry of solicitations. Foley promises to appoint a "new veteran-
friendly Commissioner of Veterans Affairs." In a postscript, Foley adds, "Veterans are people of action. Take action today and help me with a contribution."
Foley's appeal to vets is drawing fire from Democrats. Said a spokesman for the Connecticut
Democrats, "Comparing his time as a civilian bureaucrat to the service of soldiers in Iraq, who put their lives on the line every day, is more offensive and erratic behavior from Tom Foley."
Foley didn't equate his service with that of soldiers, but
he opened his pitch to veterans by saying he served "alongside" them: "I was proud to serve in Iraq as a civilian in 2003 and 2004 alongside those of you who deployed when the nation called." Foley said the Democrats were trying to invent controversy.
Source: CT Mirror AdWatch on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Dec 30, 2013
On Corporations:
Small Business Express Program is too generous with aid
Gov. Malloy's economic-development programs already are fodder for and against him. Republican Tom Foley, a gubernatorial contender, says Malloy has been too generous with aid. Malloy leaves little doubt that economic development will be a cornerstone
in his case for re-election, though he used humor to deflect a question about how a big a role he hopes the issue will play when his first term is judged. 944 small companies have received grants and cheap loans from the Small Business Express Program.
Source: The Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Dec 16, 2013
On Budget & Economy:
AdWatch: Malloy's policies drive jobs out of state
[Foley's TV ad is running in NYC] on Fox News Channel NY and NY1, but it is unlikely to make an impression--beyond generating stories like this one. The ad buy was minimal, a few thousand dollars. "This is definitely not a huge buy," Foley said,
laughing. "This is about as small a buy as you can have and still be a buy."Foley said he was trying to have some fun making a serious point about Connecticut's economic competitiveness under Malloy.
The governor always is quick to note that this state's tax rate is attractive compared to NY and NJ, but Foley said it could be a lot better. "I was just trying to make the point that while
Gov. Malloy and his policies are driving jobs and young people out of the state, here you have a neighboring city where the same thing is about to happen," Foley said.
Source: Connecticut Mirror AdWatch on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Nov 11, 2013
On Government Reform:
2010: criticized public campaign financing; 2014: accepts it
Foley has put the political establishment off balance at his exploratory announcement by saying he intended to qualify for public financing, a program Foley vigorously criticized in 2010.
And he accused Malloy of accepting improper payments from Dan Esty, the commissioner of energy and environmental protection, offering no evidence. Esty and Malloy deny Foley's claim.
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Nov 11, 2013
On Principles & Values:
AdWatch: NYC residents should move to CT under new governor
Tom Foley is out with the first television advertisement of the campaign. The ad is raising eyebrows because it isn't running in Connecticut; it's only being shown on two cable stations in New York City.
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."
Source: Daily Kos AdWatch on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Nov 11, 2013
On Gun Control:
Enough on gun control; focus on preventing another Newtown
The Connecticut Democratic Party pointed out that Foley has refused to take a stand on the historic gun safety legislation that just passed the legislature, backed by a sizable number of Republican votes. Yet despite having some cover from members of his
own party, it's a topic Foley clearly does not want to discuss:"Foley last month said he wanted to wait until the police report was issued on the slayings by Adam Lanza of 26 people, including 20 first-graders, at Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec. 14
in Newtown. That report is not due out until June. 'I thought gun legislation ought to focus on what would prevent another Newtown from happening,' Foley said. 'Newtown has obviously been politicized nationally.'"
Foley also accused Malloy of using the
Newtown tragedy "to change the subject away from the budget; [the Newtown gun bill] includes a lot of things totally unrelated to Newtown" he said. Pressed on which aspects were irrelevant to the murders, Foley said, "Enough on gun control. It's over."
Source: Daily Kos on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Apr 15, 2013
On Abortion:
Pro-choice
On social issues,
Foley describes himself as pro-choice on abortion.
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Dec 31, 2010
On Civil Rights:
Maintain gay marriage law, although personally against it
On social issues, Foley says he considers marriage to be between a man and a woman,
but he would do nothing to overturn Connecticut's gay marriage law.
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Dec 31, 2010
On Corporations:
Criticized for bankruptcy of a Georgia textile mill
During the 2010 primary campaign, Foley was criticized over his management of a Georgia textile mill, Bibb Co. His company owned the mill from 1985-1996 before
it went bankrupt and was reorganized, putting area residents out of work. Questions were raised over how much Foley benefited financially as the mill was sold.
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Dec 31, 2010
On Crime:
Veto efforts to repeal the death penalty
Foley promises to veto an
effort to repeal the death penalty.
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Dec 31, 2010
On Crime:
Arrested twice for motor vehicle incidents
During the 2010 primary campaign, Foley came under attack over allegations from his past. First came the disclosure of two arrests in connection with motor vehicle incidents, including one that involved his ex-wife in 1993.
Charges were dropped in both cases. He acknowledged to The Mirror in June that he never disclosed the arrests when nominated to be ambassador to Ireland by President George W. Bush.
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Dec 31, 2010
On Gun Control:
Supports 2nd amendment but require reporting stolen firearms
Foley would have signed a gun-control measure passed in 2007 requiring gun owners to report stolen firearms. "I support the 2nd Amendment.
I'm a gun owner myself, but I think with gun ownership comes responsibility."
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Dec 31, 2010
On Principles & Values:
Partial facial paralysis means he smiles on only left side
Few politicians have to face questions about their smile--or lack of one. It's not that Foley is glum guy. Rather, in 1994, he was suddenly afflicted with Bell's Palsy, which partly paralyzed the right side of his face. He can only smile with the left
side of his mouth; and his right eye is partially closed.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.
Source: Norwich Bulletin on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Sep 20, 2010
Page last updated: Dec 06, 2018