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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2002

Controversial author Jeff Benedict is accusing James Cunha, chairman of the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot Tribe of Connecticut, hindering his run for Congress.

Cunha is the Democratic Town Chairman in North Stonington According to Benedict, who is seeking the Democratic nomination, requests to meet with the committee have been ignored.

Cunha denies the charge and says he has never spoken to Benedict, who wants to terminate the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and has criticized the federal recognition process. Cunha's tribe is near receiving a final decision on its status.

Another committee member said Benedict's campaign has asked for appointments but that the group doesn't work that way. Whatever the case, Benedict is planning on challenge the way delegates voted in several municipalities in an attempt to ensure he isn't kicked out of the race before the Democratic primary in July.

Joseph Courtney is leading the race and has 203 delegates compared to Benedict's claim of 48.

Get the Story:
NS Democrats put off backing House candidate (The New London Day 4/3)
Candidate to challenge Democratic tickets (The Norwich Bulletin 4/3)

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Termination candidate was a GOP (3/26)
Pequot critic finds new cause (3/25)
Benedict says not one issue (2/28)
Letter: Terminate Pequot Tribe (2/22)
God doesn't exist, prove me wrong! (2/21)
Letter: Terminate Pequot Tribe (12/18)
Letters: Termination of Pequot Tribe (11/19)
Letter: Terminate Pequot Tribe (11/13)
Candidate advocates 'decertification' of tribe (11/5)
Benedict campaign runs into problems (10/4)
Pequot Tribe targeted by candidate (10/1)
Democrats pile up for Conn. race (9/26)
Pequot author to enter Conn. race (9/25)
Opinion: Benedict heating up race (8/14)
Pequot author tackling Congress (8/10)
After Pequot book, woman still alone (8/9)
A Mashantucket Pequot Retrospective (5/10)