John Mertens to Face Off against Christopher J. Dodd

HARTFORD, Conn. – John Mertens, a professor of engineering at Trinity, launched his long-shot bid for the U.S. Senate Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Lena’s Pizzeria in Hartford, saying that it was time for voters to take back their government from “career politicians” who have “corroded the foundations of our democracy.”

Mertens was joined at his announcement by about 30 supporters, including his four children: Paul, 21; Sonja, 20; Jake, 17; and Julia, 16. An atypical politician, Mertens has been a Trinity faculty member since 1990 and holds a Ph.D. from the Thermal Science Division of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University. Along with engineering, he teaches environmental science and public policy and conducts research in combustion and air pollution.

John Mertens, professor of engineering

As such, it was only fitting that Mertens’ kickoff was atypical. Unlike traditional office-seekers who hold their announcements in government buildings or on courthouse steps, Mertens spoke to supporters from an outdoor stage behind Lena’s Pizzeria, next to plastic palm trees, a bamboo fence and a bar. Rock music blared in the background.

A West Hartford resident, Mertens’ campaign is unusual in yet another way. He is running as the candidate of the Connecticut for Lieberman Party, a political party that was formed by U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman in 2006 when Lieberman was denied re-nomination by the state Democratic Party. Lieberman lost in a primary that year to challenger Ned Lamont. However, Lieberman went on to win re-election in November with the support of large numbers of Republican and unaffiliated voters.

Since then, Lieberman has abandoned his new party and Mertens and his allies have, in effect, hijacked the party. Mertens was elected chairman of the Connecticut for Lieberman Party in March 2008. Mertens is also seeking the nomination of three other minor parties: the Independent Party, the Green Party, and the Libertarian Party.

Dodd, a Democrat, will be going after his sixth term in 2010. Several Republicans have announced their intention to challenge Dodd, including former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons of Stonington, Greenwich businessman Thomas Foley, state Sen. Sam Caligiuri of Waterbury, and Fairfield County stockbroker and author Peter Schiff.

Although Mertens says that he’s in the race to win, a goal is to capture at least 1 percent of the vote in the 2010 Senate race, which would, under state election law, preserve the party’s spot on the ballot in 2012. That way, Lieberman’s critics could use his political creation in an effort to defeat him in ’12 should Lieberman decide to seek re-election.

Some observers say that Mertens could siphon votes from Dodd, making it easier for a Republican to take the seat that has long been in Democratic hands. Mertens scoffs at that notion, claiming Dodd has been in office too long and should step aside.

Mertens didn’t go into great detail during his announcement regarding his views on the major issues facing the country, but he said that he has “30 position statements” on his Web site, ranging from the national debt to energy policy to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“This [campaign] isn’t about me or about Chris Dodd,” Mertens said. “It’s about problem-solving in Washington and about politicians who will put the people first. We can’t just throw up our hands and give up. Apathy is not allowed.”

For more information about Mertens’ candidacy, visit: mertens2010.blogspot.com.

back to top