Connecticut State Treasurer
Treasurer Race DescriptionThe Treasurer is the chief elected fiscal officer for State government, overseeing a wide range of activities regarding the prudent management of State funds. The Connecticut General Statutes outlines the authority and responsibilities of the Office of State Treasurer, including the oversight of state funds, management of the Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds, the role of the Investment Advisory Council, the issuance of state debt, the establishment of the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) and the receipt and oversight of unclaimed assets among other responsibilities. The Treasurer is elected by the people of Connecticut to a four year term. Chapter 32 of the Connecticut General Statutes outlines the authority and responsibilities of the Office of State Treasurer (Section 3-11 through Section 3-76t).Additional information about the Office of Treasurer can be found here:- TreasurerWebsite************************************************************************************************************To view sample ballots go to this website:- https://portal.ct.gov/sots/election-services/town-ballots/2026-november-town-election-ballots
Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.
-
Erick Russell
(Dem, WF)
-
Fred Wilms
(Rep, I)
Please provide your background and qualifications and tell the voters why you are the best candidate for this office. (800 characters)
What do you think the public should know about the role and responsibilities of the office you are seeking? (1,000 characters)
What would be your top three priorities? (1000 characters)
What would your top three priorities be as Comptroller? (950 characters)
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate Name
Fred Wilms
You Tube Video
Campaign Website
www.fredforconnecticut.com
Campaign Email
friedrichwilms1@gmail.com
Campaign Phone
203-856-4773
I have a strong financial background, having started my career on Wall Street. After twenty years of global banking, I pivoted to Webster Bank, where I am a Senior Vice President working with businesses throughout Connecticut.
I have 19 years of public service; fifteen with the City of Norwalk and four with the State of Connecticut. In Norwalk I chaired the Board of Estimate & Taxation for eight years, safeguarding Norwalk's prestigious Triple A bond ratings.
In 2014 I was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives, serving on the Appropriations Committee. In 2017 I was on the team that wrote the fiscal guardrails and passed the Bipartisan budget, saving Connecticut from financial ruin.
I am running for Treasurer to once again bring my financial expertise to benefit our State.
The Treasurer handles all the State's money, falling into three main areas: cash management, pension investments and debt management. Cash management involves all incoming revenues, outgoing spending, and short term investing. The roughly $70 billion of pension investments are mostly for retired state employees and retired teachers. The Treasuer has "fiduciary authority" over these pensions, directing where/when all investments go. The Treasurer also issues and manages the State's debt portfolio. Finally the Treasurer sits on many fiscal oversight boards, and administers a variety special funds. In short the Treasurer acts as the Chief Financial Officer for the State.
Transfer "fiduciary authority" away from the Treasurer personally and to a professional board of trustees. Connecticut is literally the only State with this. All other 49 states believe giving any one person all that power is a bad idea - so they have a professional board of trustees. Last year the Legislature considered doing this but Treasurer Erick Russell opposed it, refusing the give up his power. For me giving up this power is my top priority.
Yale University's 2023 study of all State Treasurers ranked Connecticut near the bottom, to the point of $14 billion! The problem is structural in nature. Our taxpayers and retirees cannot gamble on our Treasurer always having a good day in the office.
Eliminate stock consultants who overcharge and underperform to the tune of $200 million. No one beats the market longterm.
Speak out to defend the fiscal guardrails and for sound financial decisions. The idea of the pension funds buying a basketball team was incredibly irresponsible.
Not applicable for the Treasurer role.
To make a selection for a candidate you must first find your races. Would you like to find your races now?
You have already selected the maximum number of candidates for this race.
You must uncheck an existing selection before making another selection.