Blumenthal: Law Threatening Bysiewicz's AG Hopes Is Valid

[ccharles000]

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said Tuesday that the state law requiring 10 years' "active practice" as a lawyer before running for attorney general is constitutional, and that it takes more than merely being licensed as a lawyer to be considered as actively practicing law.

The opinion, which can be read via this link, could have a significant impact -- politically, if not legally -- on the person who requested it: Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, who declared her candidacy three weeks ago to replace her fellow Democrat, Blumenthal, in the November election. He is not seeking re-election as he runs for the U.S. Senate.

Blumenthal said the meaning of "active practice" is unclear, and unless the legislature passes a bill clarifying it, a court would have to decide if a candidate meets it "on a case-by-case basis" by evaluating his or her credentials.

Bysiewicz, however, said she would not seek such a "declaratory ruling." Instead, she said that she is "very encouraged" by the opinion and will continue running. "It validates what I had been saying all along: that I am eligible to run for and serve as attorney general," she said. She added that her qualifications are a political issue, not a legal one, which voters can evaluate.

http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2010/02/blumenthal-says-law-affect-bys.html

[Jennicut]

1. I wish Susan Bysiewicz was running for Gov or against Lieberman.

AG is such a safe option for her, we could really use her against old Joe.

[CTyankee]

2. I am encouraged by this. If she gets AG and then runs against Lieberman in 2012

she will win and CT will have a great woman Democratic Senator!

I like Susan B. a lot. She was really a great Sec. of State during the shift from old to modern voting machines (at a time when there were lots of suspicions in the country about voting machines!).

She is strongly prochoice and will make a great Senator if she runs (and I think she will) against Joe. In the meantime, she just has to make it to AG and I think she will...

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

3. Do you think she will run for Senate when Blumenthal has

declared his intentions ?

[CTyankee]

4. No, I think her plan is to run in 2012 against Lieberman. Then she and Blumenthal

would be CT's senators! At least, that's MY dream!

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

5. Sounds good to me. I missed the "2012" when I read your post

too quickly !

[Independent_Voice]

6. Actually...

Admittedly, I'm not from CT...but I've heard a lot of great things about Denise Nappier, and I wouldn't be surprised if she is the one to run for Lieberman's seat in '12.

Bycewiecz may plan on running for Governor after two terms as Attorney General.