The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-07-28
Pre- Convention Picture
 Confusing To Democrats
Attorney Leo Gafney Appears As Outstanding Candi- date for Governor; SpeIIacy Endorsed for Senate

Developments in state political af- fairs continued steadily today within both parties and gave promise of final shaping of the winning tickets to be presented at the Connecticut conventions scheduled for within the next two weeks.
 Strong, and what has been termed overwhelming" support for Atty. Leo V. Gaffney, New Britain, candi- date for the Democratic nomination for governor, was indicated throughout the state today, as re- ports of pledges and assurances Of pledges of delegation support con- tinued to sift through.
 The Democratic candidacy of Robert A. Hurley, opponent of Atty. Gaffney has been said to have lost ground or at least, stopped gain ing" which in effect is the equiva- lent of losing ground, reliable re- ports said, because of the strong factions now already pledged to the support of the New Britain candi- date. The strength of these fac tions, it is said, will be determin- ing factor in the final decisions of those delegation blocs not yet com- mitted.
 A more unified party picture is presented by the Republicans of the state, at this time, but it has been pointed out this results only from the fact that the party leaders have Deen in control for the past two years.
 With the assurance of the renom- ination of Governor Baldwin at the c. O. P. convention. three incum- bent Republican office-holders last night formally opened their cam paign for party renomination. U. s. Senator John A. Danaher, Rep. William J. Miller and congressman at-large B. J. Monkiewicz announc- ed their candidates at meeting of the Hartford County Women Re- publican Association. held at Lake Compounce More than 200 mem bers and guests heard the legisla- tors criticize the Roosevelt admin
 
 istration.
 The U. s. senatorial picture with in the Democratic party remained at standstill today, as far as sur- face facts determined a picture. Last night in Hartford the 78 convention delegates from the Capitol city in- dorsed the senatorial candidacy of former Mayor Thomas J. Spellacy. Mir. Spellacy, in speech given at the latter proceedings held at the Bond hotel, attacked the senatorial candidacy of Atty. Brien McMahon of Norwalk. The latter, who is spon- sored by Atty. Homer Cumming of Stamford. is being bitterly opposed in most sections of the state other than in Fairfield County.
 It is not believed that the candi- dacy of MT. Spellacy will receive the support of the Gaffney ticket adheTents which presents a tangled picture as the Hartford delegation which indorsed it's native son, Atty. SpeIIacy also indorsed Gaffney at last nights meeting.
 There is considerable credence to the report that former Secretary of State Mrs. Chase Going Wood- house will receive considerable sup port in the event the convention developments authorize such a move. It is possible that Mrs. Woodhouse's candidacy would re- ceive the nod possibly after the first ballot of the convention, or there abouts. It seems doubtful at this time that any definite commit ments will be made by Gaffney sup- porters relative to the senatorial move.
 Mrs. Nellie Hayden. Waterbury, member of the executive board of the New Haen County Federation of Democratic Women's club last night stated that the latter associa- ton had gone on record indorsing Mrs. Woodhouse. The Litchfield as- sociation recently made the same move.
 No other commitments have been made as to the general ticket lipe-up in support of Attorney Calf ney. State Representative T. Emmet Claire, Democrat, who today en- doFsed the candidacy of MT. Gaffney has announced his candidacy for congressman -at-large, MT. Clairie is thought of in favorable terms in