Eunice Groark
Encyclopedia
Eunice S. Groark was elected the first female lieutenant governor of Connecticut
in 1990. Groark ran on a ticket with Lowell Weicker
, both of whom were members of A Connecticut Party
. Weicker/Groark won with 41 percent of the vote.
, Groark served as Corporation Counsel of the City of Hartford
from 1987 to 1990. Before that, she was a Republican member of Hartford's City Council.
When Groark was six, she was trapped in the 1944 Hartford Circus Fire
which killed 168 people. Groark (http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/1089124287) said even 60 years later she still could not be in large crowds.
In 1991, Governor Weicker introduced a controversial plan to balance the state budget by implementing an earned income tax. When the vote on the plan was tied 18–18 in the state Senate, Groark, as President of the Senate, cast the tie-breaking vote in favor. Groark also broke a Senate tie on the assault-weapons ban proposed by Governor Weicker.
In 1994, Weicker retired from public office and endorsed Groark for governor on the ACP line, against former Republican congressman John G. Rowland
and Democratic state Comptroller Bill Curry
. Conservative talk-radio host Tom Scott also ran as an independent. Groark picked Commissioner of Social Services Audrey Rowe as her running mate; Rowe was the only African-American candidate for Lieutenant Governor in Connecticut history.
The Groark/Rowe ticket was also Connecticut's only all-female ticket. In Connecticut, the incumbent governor's party is listed on top of the ballot. Despite being far outspent by her rivals, Groark won nearly 20 percent of the vote in a five-way race—with Rowland winning and Curry with 33%. Hard-line conservative Tom Scott Scott had 11% and another candidate, Zdoncyck obtained 1 percent.
Groark's portion of the vote was not sufficient to maintain major party status for the ACP, ending its influence in Connecticut politics. Some Democrats, especially in light of the many corruption scandals that led to John G. Rowland
's resignation in 2004 after ten years as governor, blame Groark for siphoning votes from Bill Curry and throwing the election to Rowland.
In a two-way race, it is likely virtually all of the votes cast for Tom Scott would have gone to Rowland, however. It should also be noted that Groark's support in 1994 was heaviest in suburban and rural towns in northern Connecticut that supported Rowland's re-election bids by wide margins.
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
in 1990. Groark ran on a ticket with Lowell Weicker
Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.
Lowell Palmer Weicker, Jr. is an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and the 85th Governor of Connecticut, and unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for President in 1980...
, both of whom were members of A Connecticut Party
A Connecticut Party
A Connecticut Party was a political party formed by former Republican Senator and gubernatorial candidate Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. in 1990. Weicker subsequently won the election and served a single term as Governor of Connecticut...
. Weicker/Groark won with 41 percent of the vote.
Biography
Prior to her election as Lieutenant GovernorLieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
, Groark served as Corporation Counsel of the City of Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
from 1987 to 1990. Before that, she was a Republican member of Hartford's City Council.
When Groark was six, she was trapped in the 1944 Hartford Circus Fire
Hartford Circus Fire
The Hartford Circus Fire, which occurred on July 6, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut, was one of the worst fire disasters in the history of the United States...
which killed 168 people. Groark (http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/1089124287) said even 60 years later she still could not be in large crowds.
In 1991, Governor Weicker introduced a controversial plan to balance the state budget by implementing an earned income tax. When the vote on the plan was tied 18–18 in the state Senate, Groark, as President of the Senate, cast the tie-breaking vote in favor. Groark also broke a Senate tie on the assault-weapons ban proposed by Governor Weicker.
In 1994, Weicker retired from public office and endorsed Groark for governor on the ACP line, against former Republican congressman John G. Rowland
John G. Rowland
John Grosvenor Rowland was the 86th Governor of Connecticut from 1995 to 2004; he is a member of the Republican Party. He is married to Patty Rowland, his second wife, and the couple have five children between them...
and Democratic state Comptroller Bill Curry
Bill Curry (politician)
William E. Curry, Jr. has been a two-time Democratic nominee for Governor of Connecticut and a White House advisor in the administration of Bill Clinton.-Education and early political life:...
. Conservative talk-radio host Tom Scott also ran as an independent. Groark picked Commissioner of Social Services Audrey Rowe as her running mate; Rowe was the only African-American candidate for Lieutenant Governor in Connecticut history.
The Groark/Rowe ticket was also Connecticut's only all-female ticket. In Connecticut, the incumbent governor's party is listed on top of the ballot. Despite being far outspent by her rivals, Groark won nearly 20 percent of the vote in a five-way race—with Rowland winning and Curry with 33%. Hard-line conservative Tom Scott Scott had 11% and another candidate, Zdoncyck obtained 1 percent.
Groark's portion of the vote was not sufficient to maintain major party status for the ACP, ending its influence in Connecticut politics. Some Democrats, especially in light of the many corruption scandals that led to John G. Rowland
John G. Rowland
John Grosvenor Rowland was the 86th Governor of Connecticut from 1995 to 2004; he is a member of the Republican Party. He is married to Patty Rowland, his second wife, and the couple have five children between them...
's resignation in 2004 after ten years as governor, blame Groark for siphoning votes from Bill Curry and throwing the election to Rowland.
In a two-way race, it is likely virtually all of the votes cast for Tom Scott would have gone to Rowland, however. It should also be noted that Groark's support in 1994 was heaviest in suburban and rural towns in northern Connecticut that supported Rowland's re-election bids by wide margins.