Connecticut’s top elected officials react to Trump’s election

Connecticut Democratic Party leaders said Wednesday they were disappointed by the election of Donald Trump but were willing to meet halfway and support the values ​​of Connecticut residents.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, who was elected to a 10th term on Tuesday, said in a statement that “we as a nation must respect the will of the voters and promote the peaceful transfer of power that is the foundation of healthy living.” . democracy”.

Courtney said he was disappointed that Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz did not win. He said their campaign focuses on real issues and offers detailed plans, including to encourage new housing construction and expand Medicare coverage for home health care.

“No matter who occupies the Oval Office, I will always use my voice in Congress to support our Constitution and represent the people of the Second Congressional District to the best of my ability,” Courtney added.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said by phone that he was disappointed by the results but intends to “continue to fight for the people of Connecticut and hold accountable anyone who abuses their power and harms Connecticut.” People.”

“I will continue to work to improve the economy and lower prices, create more jobs, improve job training and employment opportunities, and protect children online from the dangers of social media and prevent gun violence.” “, he said. “But I will stand firm for the core values ​​and freedoms that Connecticut holds dear: women’s rights to reproductive choice and freedoms, gun violence prevention, civil rights, liberties, and holding accountable corporate giants who may abuse their power, so we have there is a lot of work and struggle ahead.”

At a post-election media briefing at the State Capitol, broadcast on CT-N, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz said Connecticut will stand up for reproductive rights and access to health care, LGBTQ+ rights, labor rights, gun safety and civil rights, freedom of thought and expressions, and “continue to welcome new people to our state who come from other countries and make our state stronger and more vibrant.”

She added that Connecticut “will continue to be a stronghold of the nation.”

Comptroller Sean Scanlon said Connecticut’s elected leaders “will continue to fight for Connecticut values” and will continue to work against each other when they can.

Gov. Ned Lamont noted that the kids he met on Halloween were election-minded, and some of them were kids of color or transgender kids.

He shared a message: “Here in Connecticut, we love you. We are all children of God. Your friends want to see you at school tomorrow, and that’s what it’s like to be in Connecticut.”

At a luncheon at the Capitol in New Britain, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, who was re-elected, said he would work with Trump on areas of overlap that would help Connecticut, but believed those areas would be fairly small.

“People in the state do not support restrictions on abortion; state residents don’t want another tax cut for millionaires; the people of this state do not want to see our country’s gun laws repealed,” he said in comments provided by staff. “So, as in the first round, it is likely that I will end up helping to lead the fight against policies he supports that will harm Connecticut. This is the mandate I will receive from the people of Connecticut. But, as always, if there is an opportunity to cross the aisle, I will do it.”

He said he was proud of both parties’ accomplishments in his last term.

Attorney General William Tong has vowed to never back down on protecting residents. Responding to the election results, he said it was clear that many people were suffering right now because the cost of food was “rising at an unsustainable rate.” He said his office would step up investigations into food and grocery prices, as well as prescription drug prices.

He also said the state will focus on ensuring access to vaccines, fighting climate change and Big Oil, and countering rising energy prices.

Connecticut GOP Chairman Ben Proto said on the call that thanks to the Trump administration, a Republican Senate and possibly a Republican House of Representatives, there are opportunities to “really change the economic future of our country and the economic situation for Americans both here and across the country.” »

He said in Connecticut, 40% of families can’t afford to pay their bills each month, job growth lags the national average and the cost of living outpaces other states. He said under Trump, Connecticut’s economy and inflation will be under control, homeownership will become a viable alternative and the state will become more affordable. He said President Joe Biden and Harris failed to do it, and Harris “never formulated a plan to do it.”

“This is a new day in America, and I think it will be a great day for America in the future,” Proto said.

Reproductive rights

During a media briefing, some officials expressed concern about a possible national abortion ban. Blumenthal said a potential national ban would override the Connecticut law and “there is no question that the people around this president want to ban abortion across the country.”

But he noted the “strong, growing, powerful weight of public opinion” in support of reproductive freedom, as evidenced by referendums in Missouri and Arizona protecting reproductive rights.

He said if a national abortion ban were threatened, “we are ready, willing and able to fight that fight nationally.”

Tong said Connecticut will fight “tooth and nail” the effort to enact a national abortion ban not only through Blumenthal, but through the courts. He said the U.S. Supreme Court said in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that the issue should be decided by the states.

He said Connecticut has enshrined reproductive rights in its law, so he argues that if there were an attempt at a national abortion ban, it “would not be able to preempt Connecticut.”

Checks and balances

Officials also noted that there is a system of checks and balances within the government.

Tong said he will now be “tuning in” to his role as vice president of the National Association of Attorneys General to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. He said he and his fellow Democrats are united.

“This firewall we’ve built is as strong as it’s ever been, and if anyone tries to come into our states, take advantage, rob or attack the people and families in our states, we will stop them,” he said .

Blumenthal said by phone that he believes there are risks to democracy and threats that have been articulated by some at the national level, such as the possibility of a national abortion ban, repeal of gun violence protections or restrictions and suppression of civil rights or voting rights.

He said he was “ready and willing to fight tenaciously against any attempt to undermine democracy.”

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