Gov. Dannel P. Malloy voted Tuesday in the first Democratic gubernatorial primary since 2002 in which he is not on the ballot, but offered no endorsement of either would-be Democratic successor — an acknowledgement that his unpopularity makes his kind words a liability. But he showed no reticence in condemning every Republican contender for assuring the GOP base of their fealty to President Trump: “They have become Trump-like, perhaps mini-me Trumps. And that’s a disturbing reality.”
2018 campaign
Posted inPolitics
Independent group aims to tie Hayes to Obama
Jahana Hayes, a Democratic candidate for the sprawling 5th District congressional seat, is getting some last-minute help in the form of campaign videos produced by an independent group that link her to former President Barack Obama.
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Herbst tests risk and reward of alliance with social conservatives
With carefully calibrated appeals to gun owners and social conservatives, Timothy Herbst is looking for the sweet spot in Connecticut politics on Tuesday: How far to the right can a gubernatorial candidate go to distinguish himself in a crowded Republican primary, yet remain viable in November?
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Hayes, Glassman, other pols search for votes at Newtown rally
Newtown – In the homestretch of primary races, Sunday’s March for Our Lives rally here was the place to be for Democratic candidates hoping to round up last-minute votes and extol voters to show up at the polls on Tuesday.
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Despite no leverage, candidates promise labor concessions
While all of Connecticut’s gubernatorial candidates say they want more concessions from unionized state employees, the reality is the next governor will have little leverage to force negotiations until his third year in office. So, how do you cut a state budget dominated by personnel expenses if you can’t eliminate personnel?
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Stefanowski invites reporters to listen, not ask questions
If a candidate holds a press conference and leaves without taking questions, is it a press conference? Don’t ask Bob Stefanowski.
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A cautious end to a long season of GOP gubernatorial debates
The five Republican candidates for governor navigated their final pre-primary debate Wednesday by staying in well-established lanes, broadly sketching approaches to stabilizing Connecticut’s finances and growing its economy, while carefully dodging potential distractions like gun control and abortion.
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O’Neill accuses DuPont of breaking federal disclosure laws
WASHINGTON — Mud began to fly Wednesday in what was a quiet GOP primary race for Rep. Elizabeth Esty’s seat, as the Ruby Corby O’Neill hit fellow Republican Rich DuPont for his failure to file a financial disclosure form or say he stands by the content of a recently released cable ad, as federal law requires.
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Ganim benefits from Lamont’s fear of alienating Bridgeport
Bridgeport Mayor Joseph P. Ganim was more aggressive Tuesday in questioning why Ned Lamont might be reluctant to support a convicted extortionist for governor than Lamont was in challenging Ganim’s fitness to lead Connecticut after seven years in prison for using his office to routinely shake down city contractors for bribes.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Crumbling foundations trending as a campaign issue
The issue of crumbling foundations that threaten financial ruin for thousands of Connecticut homeowners is trending in political circles, but help to those afflicted faces significant obstacles and could be limited.
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GOP primary rivals for U.S. Senate, Corey, Rapini, blast Murphy, not each other
Connecticut’s U.S. Senate race is a sleeper compared to the high-profile contest for governor or some of the other hot races this year. But, in a polite rivalry, Republicans Matthew Corey and Dominic Rapini are competing to see who can criticize Sen. Chris Murphy the most — and challenge him in November.
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Hatfield opposes 3D-printed guns, loses endorsement of gun group
With the gun lobby, it seems to be all or nothing. Susan Hatfield, the endorsed Republican candidate for attorney general, said Friday that her opposition to untraceable 3D-printed firearms — a position the President Trump has hinted he might adopt — has cost her the support of the state’s largest gun owners’ group, the Connecticut Citizens Defense League.
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A ‘crypto-anarchist’ hands Democrats a new gun issue
You probably never heard his name before today, but Cody Wilson emerged this week as an influence in the Connecticut primaries for governor and attorney general: He is a self-described “crypto-anarchist” from Texas who wants to sell America a downloadable blueprint for the 3D printing of untraceable plastic firearms.
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Glassman, Hayes, not too far apart on key issues in heated primary contest
Democrats Mary Glassman and Jahana Hayes, who are in a tough competition to win the Aug. 14 Democratic primary both try to woo activist, liberal leaning Democratic primary voters, their positions on key issues don’t deviate much. But there are nuances.
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Biography and diversity, not issues, separate Democrats in CT-5
Mary Glassman unequivocally supported Israel, while Jahana Hayes called the question complicated. Hayes embraced federal legalization of marijuana, while Glassman called it a state issue. But mainly, the two Democratic candidates for Connecticut’s only open congressional seat disagreed Monday night on what message their victory would send.