A weekend of grieving the shooting deaths of 11 worshipers at a Pittsburgh synagogue gave way Monday to a hard push by Democrats to highlight Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski’s support from the NRA and the state’s largest gun-owners’ group, the Connecticut Citizens Defense League. “A governor with an A rating from the NRA elected in Connecticut? That’s the national headline,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
2018 campaign
Posted inPolitics
Aside from UTC gossip, business plays coy in race for governor
Over dinner at the Belle Haven Club in Greenwich, a member of United Technologies Corporation’s board of directors, Harold “Terry” McGraw, was talking about gubernatorial politics when, according to a fellow diner, the director asserted that UTC would would exit Connecticut if Democrat Ned Lamont is elected governor. The comment, which McGraw declined to confirm or deny, would be a striking departure for a corporate Connecticut that has strained for neutrality in this volatile race.
Posted inPolitics
An ‘army of young people’ propels and inspires Jahana Hayes
It was a wave of young voters that propelled Democrat Jahana Hayes into the Fifth Congressional District candidacy, and Sunday she told a crowd of young voters that they continue to be her inspiration as she attempts to become the district’s first black female representative.
Posted inPolitics
Stefanowski releases tax returns for 2 years: Average AGI of $8M
Bob Stefanowski, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, and his wife, Amy, released joint tax documents Saturday showing adjusted gross incomes of $6.9 million in 2016 and $9.7 million in 2017, the candidate’s last year as chief executive officer of DFC Global.
Posted inTransportation
Voters to decide if state should create ‘legal lockbox’ for transportation costs
Connecticut voters will decide the fate of two proposed constitutional amendments, including a legal “lockbox” designed to ensure transportation-related revenues can’t be diverted for other purposes.
Posted inPolitics
Ahead of midterms, some CT companies offer time off to vote
In this contentious mid-term election, corporations are stepping up their civic responsibility and offering employees time off to vote. Norwalk-based Diageo North America is part of the trend. Meanwhile, Connecticut is among a minority of states that don’t mandate an Election Day time-off policy for workers.
Posted inPolitics
Cook battles to keep her seat in a swing district that will help decide if Dems keep control of House
TORRINGTON – Michelle Cook, a Democrat, is battling to keep her 65th House District seat from being taken by Republican Molly Spino. Cook represents one of the state’s few key swing districts, which means both parties are eyeing it hungrily to help secure the state House majority on Nov. 6.
Posted inPolitics
Lamont paints himself into a fiscal corner by ruling out solutions to deficit
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ned Lamont has slowly eliminated most options to close a major post-election deficit in state finances as he’s tried to convince voters he won’t order major tax hikes. [Updated at 7:15 p.m. with comment from Bob Stefanowski’s campaign.]
Posted inPolitics
Stefanowski’s plan to eliminate income tax is conditional
Behind Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski’s bold promise to eliminate Connecticut’s income tax in eight years is a significant disclaimer not heard in any of his campaign ads: No cut is contemplated for two years. In fact, none are guaranteed at all.
Posted inPolitics
Blue wave could propel Conn. Democrats into powerful jobs
WASHINGTON — A blue wave that wrests control of the U.S. House from the GOP would propel Connecticut’s Democratic House members — who are favored to win another term — out of a political wilderness and into positions of power. But while they may be able to advance their political agendas, the prospects of a continued GOP-controlled Senate would limit their new power.
Posted inPolitics
Lamont reports average adjusted gross income of $3.6 million
Ned Lamont, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, released tax documents Friday showing an average adjusted gross income of $3.6 million in each of the past five years, primarily in investment income.
Posted inNews
GOP congressional challengers facing the power of incumbency
When she went to the state Republican Party convention in May as a delegate from Manchester, Jennifer Nye had no plans to challenge John Larson, who has represented the Hartford-area 1st Congressional District since 1999. But now Nye belongs to an exclusive club. She’s one of several underfunded GOP candidates vying for Congress in Connecticut this year.
Posted inNews
Hayes, Santos debate highlights sharply different philosophies and approaches
Democrat Jahana Hayes doubled down on the importance of education, while her Republican rival Manny Santos burnished his conservative credentials at a debate before an audience of college students Wednesday night.
Posted inPolitics
Himes uses war chest to help other Dems, Arora raises less than $9k over summer
WASHINGTON – Democratic Rep. Jim Himes is spending more money on the races of other Democratic candidates than he is on his own, while his Republican challenger Harry Arora, raised less than $9,000 in campaign cash this summer. Himes donated to the campaigns of more than 70 House Democrats in the last quarter, the latest filings with the Federal Election Commission show.
Posted inPolitics
Hayes raises about $1.3 million in her quest for congressional seat
WASHINGTON – Jahana Hayes, a political newcomer vying for the 5th District congressional seat, has pulled in nearly $1.3 million in campaign donations since she announced her candidacy in May. Some of that money came from political action committees representing special interests and from those Hayes hopes to call colleagues after the Nov. 6 elections, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.