Politics & Government

Campaign Notebook: Boisterous Crowd at Senate Debate

News and updates from the campaign trail in Connecticut.

 

Senate

The third debate between Chris Murphy and Linda McMahon was a wild one due to a raucous crowd. According to the Connecticut Mirror, the crowd, “asserted itself with repeated interruptions of Murphy that ranged from derisive laughter to boos to one woman's shout for him to simply ‘shut up.’"

After the third of four debates came to an end, Murphy accused McMahon of bringing in supporters, “to shout me down off the stage because she’s afraid of debating the issues,” reports the Associated Press.

Find out what's happening in New Canaanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The debate ended suddenly for television viewers when Linda McMahon (R) had her closing remarks cut off. A post on her Facebook page saying the statement should be aired on the 11 p.m. news received 2,400 “likes” from supporters. WTNH apologized for ending the debate short and said the full debate can be viewed on its website.

 

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Fourth District

Jim Himes made a campaign stop in Monroe and said he is “feeling optimistic,” reports Patch. Himes criticized opponent Steve Obsitnik for not being, “clear on Medicare vouchers and he refuses to say whether he supports the Republican budget.”

Obsitnik’s campaign responded that Himes is “pushing this narrative” that’s untrue.

“They must not be listening, because Steve has been pretty specific about what he wants to do as far as preserving and protecting Medicare, to reduce and balance the budget and to simplify the tax code," said Amanda Bergen, spokesperson for Obsitnik’s campaign.

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ELSEWHERE IN CONNECTICUT

Third District

Rosa DeLauro (D): Former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter died on Sunday after representing Pennsylvania for decades – both as a Democrat and a Republican. DeLauro said this about him on Twitter:

Arlen Specter will be remembered as a supporter of biomedical research, independent mind, thoughtful and serious legislator.

Wayne Winsley (R) had two campaign events on Tuesday. First, he met with voters at the North Branford Senior Center. Later that evening, a “flash mob” of supporters was planned for downtown New Haven.

 

Fifth District

The Fifth District remains tightly contested in the polls, but not when it comes to finances. The Hartford Courant reports Elizabeth Esty raised $2.7 million so far, and Andrew Roraback raised $1.18 million. Esty contributed $525,000 of her own money, but only has $208,000 on hand at the end of the quarter. Roraback gave $25,000 of his own money but has $306,000 left.

The money raised doesn’t tell the whole story, however, as both campaigns have outside groups spending approximately $1 million each to influence the election. 


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