Former GOP lawmaker Craig Miner tapped to be next Republican state auditor

For Immediate Release

Former GOP lawmaker Craig Miner
tapped to be next Republican state auditor

Craig Miner, a former Republican state lawmaker from Litchfield, has been nominated to be the next Republican state auditor.

Miner, who served eight terms in the state House of Representatives and three terms in the state Senate representing communities across northwest Connecticut, will succeed Clark Chapin, who is retiring. Miner begins work on Feb. 2.

“Craig is one of the most intelligent and hardworking lawmakers I have been honored to serve with,” Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, said. “He dedicated more than half of his life to public service at the state and local level, and he is one of the most trusted experts when it comes to the state budget. I have worked closely with Craig and have developed a great respect and admiration for the way he approaches all issues. He is conscientious, measured, and detail-oriented. He always takes the time to study an issue and bring people together to work on solutions. Craig was always passionate about advocating for the people he represented, devoting himself to helping and protecting the residents of Connecticut. It was a role he excelled at and will continue to fulfill as State Auditor.”

“Serving alongside Craig for several years, I saw first-hand his reverence for the Auditors’ good work and its potential to improve the efficiency and performance of state government,” said House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford. “His appreciation for the office, combined with his substantial experience in elected municipal and state roles, makes him the perfect individual for this vital position that bridges the gap between government and the taxpayers whose hard-earned dollars fund it.”

“I truly am honored to have been nominated for this government watchdog position,” Miner said. “I think my experience and skill set will serve me well in this challenging role. I look forward to the work ahead and to serving the taxpayers of Connecticut to the best of my ability.”

The nomination is subject to a hearing by the legislature’s executive and legislative nominations committee and a confirmation vote by the General Assembly.

Connecticut has a Democratic and Republican auditor of public accounts, who jointly oversee an agency that continually examines all aspects of state government and makes recommendations on improvements. The Democratic auditor, John Geragosian, is also a former lawmaker.

Miner, who was first elected to the legislature in 1996 and rose to the state Senate in 2016, declined to seek reelection in 2022. His sprawling district in northwestern Litchfield County included Brookfield, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Milford, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington, Warren and Winchester. He served in key roles on the budget-writing Appropriations Committee as well as the Environment Committee. Before arriving in Hartford, he spent 10 years as first selectman of Litchfield.