Elizabeth Esty News and In-Depth Reporting

Barden, Hockley say they won’t run for Esty’s seat

by Ana Radelat April 27, 2018 @ 6:00 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:28 pm

Updated at 5:50 p.m.
WASHINGTON – Sandy Hook Promise founders Nicole Hockley and Mark Barden on Friday said they have decided against running for Rep. Elizabeth Esty’s congressional seat. Meanwhile, former Newtown Rabbi Shaul Praver announced his intention to enter the race.

Politics

Two new GOP candidates enter race for Esty seat

by Ana Radelat April 26, 2018 @ 4:37 pmJuly 18, 2022 @ 12:40 pm

The race for the 5th District seat got a little more crowded Thursday as Simsbury Republican Liz Peterson and fellow Republican Ruby O’Neill of Southbury said they are running.

Politics

GOP fails in its courtship of Bill Petit for Congress

by Mark Pazniokas April 25, 2018 @ 4:04 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:27 pm

He was flattered. The calls came from people like U.S. Rep. Steven Stivers of Ohio, the chair of the GOP’s congressional recruiting arm, the National Republican Congressional Committee. But William A. Petit Jr., a state legislator with name recognition born in tragedy, was unpersuaded. He is not running for Congress.

Politics

Esty leads in fundraising, but will have to give most money away

by Ana Radelat April 16, 2018 @ 3:55 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:30 pm

WASHINGTON — Rep. Elizabeth Esty, who had to reach into her own pockets to help fund her first bid to represent the 5th District, will leave Congress with a hefty war chest. Since she is not running for re-election, Esty will have to return some of those donations, and give the rest of the money away.

Politics

Esty: I gave abusive staffer good reference to ‘get him out of Washington’

by Ana Radelat April 10, 2018 @ 6:21 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:29 pm

WASHINGTON — Rep. Elizabeth Esty said she wrote a glowing reference letter for former chief of staff Tony Baker with the understanding the would leave Washington, D.C., providing “space” and protection to another former aide, Anna Kain, who has accused Baker of physical and verbal abuse. “My instinct was once I learned about (the abuse) was how to protect her,” Esty, D-5th District, said.

Politics

Conservative watchdog seeks ethics probe of Esty

by Ana Radelat April 5, 2018 @ 7:00 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:28 pm

WASHINGTON — A conservative watchdog group, the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, filed a complaint Thursday with the Office of Congressional Ethics requesting an immediate investigation into Rep. Elizabeth Esty’s handling of a former chief of staff accused of abusive and threatening behavior.

Politics

List of Republicans eyeing Esty’s seat grows as Petit considers race

by Ana Radelat April 4, 2018 @ 6:09 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:28 pm

WASHINGTON — The list of Republicans eyeing Rep. Elizabeth Esty’s seat in Congress grew longer Wednesday. J.R. Romano, the head of the Connecticut Republican Party said William Petit is considering a run for the seat.

Politics

Esty seat not a toss-up, but fierce race expected

by Ana Radelat April 3, 2018 @ 2:50 pmJuly 18, 2022 @ 12:41 pm

Publicity over the scandal that embroiled Rep. Elizabeth Esty and the rarity of an open seat in an especially hot midterm election will make the contest for Connecticut’s 5th District a nationally watched race.

Politics

Mary Glassman jumps into suddenly open 5th District race

by Mark Pazniokas April 2, 2018 @ 9:09 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:27 pm

Mary Glassman, the former first selectman of Simsbury and two-time Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, was the first Monday to declare her candidacy for Congress in the wake of the decision by U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, not to seek re-election. Glassman is unlikely to be the last to enter the race for a suddenly open seat.

Politics

Esty says she will not seek re-election

by Ana Radelat April 2, 2018 @ 11:42 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:27 pm

WASHINGTON – Embattled Rep. Elizabeth Esty announced Monday she will not run for re-election. “I have determined that it is in the best interest of my constituents and my family to end my time in Congress at the end of this year and not seek re-election,” Esty said.

Politics

Looney, other state Dems, demand Esty resign

by Ana Radelat March 31, 2018 @ 4:05 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:27 pm

Rep. Elizabeth Esty defiantly said on Saturday she had no intention of leaving Congress as several state Democrats, including the highest-ranking member of the state Senate and a Democratic gubernatorial contender, called for her to resign.

Politics

Esty writes mea culpa to colleagues; GOP calls for resignation

by Ana Radelat March 30, 2018 @ 12:54 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:27 pm

WASHINGTON – Republicans on Friday called on Rep. Elizabeth Esty to resign over her handling of a former chief-of-staff accused of abusive behavior, while the Democratic congresswoman sought damage control within her own party.

News

Esty apologizes for failing to protect staffers from abuse

by Ana Radelat March 29, 2018 @ 9:45 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:27 pm

WASHINGTON — Rep. Elizabeth Esty apologized to current and former staffers Thursday for failing to notice that her former chief of staff, Tony Baker, had been abusive to her staffers and for failing to take swifter action in firing him. “It’s awful and I feel terrible for everyone who was hurt,” said Esty, D-5th District.

Education

CT schools chief takes aim at Trump safety proposals

by Ana Radelat March 20, 2018 @ 6:58 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:29 pm

WASHINGTON — Connecticut Education Commissioner Dianna Wentzell on Tuesday helped congressional Democrats push back against President Donald Trump’s school safety initiatives, including proposals to arm teachers and review Obama-era policies that encouraged educators to consider alternatives to detention and expulsion.

Justice

Trump asks Murphy to help draft ‘comprehensive’ gun bill

by Ana Radelat February 28, 2018 @ 5:58 pmJune 17, 2022 @ 9:46 pm

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he wanted Sen. Chris Murphy to join three Senate colleagues in drafting a “comprehensive” gun bill that is “very powerful” on expansion of the FBI background check system for gun buyers. “We are determined to turn grief into action,” Trump said at a White House gathering with lawmakers to discuss ways to combat gun violence.

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