Bysiewicz
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - A Connecticut judge has ruled Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz has met the legal experience standard required of an attorney general candidate.
Bysiewicz filed a lawsuit against herself, as secretary of state, to clarify if she has engaged in an active practice of law in the state for 10 years, as is required of candidates. Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Michael Sheldon ruled she has.
Bysiewicz is a Democrat hoping to replace Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who is running for U.S. Senate. Bysiewicz is an attorney, but she has been secretary of state since 1998.
"This is not just a victory for me. This is a victory for all of the voters of Connecticut who should have the choice to vote for who they want to vote for - whether it is attorney general or any other office," Bysiewicz said.
Sheldon issued a 93-page ruling that did not address Bysiewicz's challenge to the constitutionality of the requirement because he said she met the 10-year standard, according to a report in the Hartford Courant.
The report also notes that during videotaped testimony in the case, Bysiewicz admitted she has never tried a case as a lawyer.
"An attorney general sometimes has to go to court and fight for what they believe is right, and that is exactly what I have done here," Bysiewicz said.
The state Republican party challenged Bysiewicz's credentials.
From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at jobrienwv@gmail.com.