SHU Political Expert Releases Book on CT's Crises

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Gary Rose, Sacred Heart’s University’s go-to political expert, has spent the last two years chronicling Connecticut’s 2018 gubernatorial race and the many issues plaguing the Nutmeg state for his 13th book, Connecticut in Crisis: Policy Challenges and the 2018 Contest for Governor. 

Soon after finishing his previous book, Haywire, about the 2016 presidential election, the professor and chair of the Department of Government got right to work on Connecticut in Crisis. “I knew the governor’s race was going to be interesting,” Rose said.

After decades of commenting on federal and state politics, Rose wanted to write a book that delved into the state’s many problems, weaving in the contentious gubernatorial race that was about to occur. 

“I’m a native of Connecticut; I grew up here, I have family here,” Rose said. “I feel like I’ve been a real principal observer, an invested observer of the scene, and felt I could write about the issues. I have a feel for the system.” Moreover, Rose had already written several books on Connecticut’s government. 

With the help of his research assistant, Bridget Hughes ’18, Rose began. The book includes nothing but the facts; there is no editorializing, Rose said. “It was not my intention to provide my opinion. I think people will see that I was objective throughout.”  

Hughes helped compile articles for Rose to read and made sure he didn’t miss any state news updates. Hughes also played a significant role in providing graphics. “I was fortunate to have someone with her level of talent help me,” he said. 

As Rose researched and wrote, he became surprised by his findings. “I just didn’t know how bad things were,” Rose said. He knew the state faced challenges, but he discovered the true condition of Connecticut’s infrastructure, business climate, homeless rate and more. 

When it came time to naming his book, he thought the word “crisis” was appropriate. “I don’t use that word lightly,” he said. “I felt comfortable using that word to describe Connecticut.”

Rose plans to send copies of Connecticut in Crisis to lawmakers, political science professors and even the 2018 gubernatorial candidates. “I want the book to be a call to action,” he said. 

Connecticut used to be one of the most prosperous states in the U.S., Rose said, and he would like politicians to know that now is not the time to engage in “partisan warfare.” “We have to fix this,” he said, noting that more and more SHU graduates are leaving the state to seek employment. “They have no intention of staying here,” he said.

To celebrate the book’s release and to get people talking about the state and its issues, SHU’s Institute for Public Policy will host and sponsor two panel discussions in the fall semester, aptly named “Connecticut in Crisis.” The talks will include Rose and other experts. 

To purchase a copy of Rose’s book contact Academica Press at, orders@pssc.com.

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About Sacred Heart University

As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland and offers online programs. More than 9,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 384 Colleges–2019 Edition, “Best in the Northeast” and Best 267 Business Schools–2018 Edition. Sacred Heart has a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theater. www.sacredheart.edu

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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