One reason I am proud to be running in the 69th District is because of the legacy left by Arthur O’Neil who served as the representative for thirty-two years. In particular, it is about Arthur’s willingness to step forward when called upon to be the co-chair of the impeachment committee investigating Republican Governor Rowland in 2004.
I learned about Arthur’s key role in this chapter of Connecticut history in an interview I did with him for Heritage Village’s FOCUS television. Interview with Arthur O’Neil December 2018 (If you move to the 27:10 mark, you will see the section on the impeachment hearing.)
Arthur had been a strong supporter of Rowland throughout his prior career including working on his campaigns for the U.S. House and the Governorship. When allegations of the Governor’s actions became public, the General Assembly voted to convene an impeachment committee. Under Connecticut laws, there needed to be one co-chair from each Party. For a Republican representative this was a thankless task but Arthur stepped up when duty called.
When the Governor asked leading Republicans to give him the benefit of the doubt and not allow the process to go forward, Arthur was willing to “speak truth to power” and told the Governor in a meeting in the Governor’s mansion that “you are going to be impeached”. Arthur had seen the evidence.
As Arthur described in the interview (at around the 25 minutes mark), the evidence collected became overwhelming. However, before the impeachment committee could complete their public hearings, the Federal government acted. They had also been collecting evidence of crimes and they had seen enough to charge Rowland with Federal crimes.
Governor John Rowland was never impeached but instead went to prison.
Arthur had no regrets of doing the right thing when he agreed to become the co-chair. That is what integrity in a public servant means.
I pledge to do the same if I am elected to take the seat he held.