Following time-honored tradition, CT politicians bet on game

Politicians like to link themselves with winning local sports teams and those from Connecticut are no different.

Connecticut Sens. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both Democrats, say they have a “friendly wager” with Kentucky Republican Sens. Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell over the outcome of tonight’s NCAA championship game between UConn’s Huskies and the University of Kentucky Wildcats.

If the Huskies win, the Kentucky lawmakers will give the Connecticut lawmakers a selection of Kentucky Derby Pie form Kern’s Kitchen in Louisville. Why not bourbon?

If the Huskies lose, it will be Blumenthal and Murphy taking the loser’s walk to the Kentucky lawmakers’ offices with Connecticut’s Stew Leonard’s brownies and UConn Dairy Bar ice cream.

“Bleeding blue and betting with pride – trusting that Kentucky’s Senators won’t be tasting UConn ice cream or Stew Leonard’s brownies – because the Huskies will be dominant,” said Blumenthal.

Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2^nd District, has also made a wager, against Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr.

If UConn wins Barr will give Courtney an assortment of Kentucky’s “signature bourbons,” candies and treats. If the Huskies lose, Courtney, a UConn graduate, will have to hand over a gift basket of eastern Connecticut “signature treats,” including Munson’s Chocolates, Selbuort Valley Farms Maple Syrup, Cato Corner Cheese, Deep River Chips, Jarmoc cigars and Cottrell Beer.

Not to be outdone, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has bet with Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear over the outcome of today’s game.

Malloy will bet Connecticut wine, beer and chocolate for a Huskies victory, while Beshear is wagering a fully-stocked Kentucky bourbon bar that the Wildcats will win.