Union Leader Resigns Amid Controversial Political Ad Linking William Petit to Donald Trump’s ‘Attack on Women and Families'

CHESHIRE, CT — A top union official responsible for a controversial political ad linking Dr. William Petit, the sole survivor of the 2007 Cheshire home invasion killings in which his wife and two daughters were murdered, to Donald Trump’s “attack on women and families,” has resigned, according to multiple published reports.

The Hartford Courant reports that Paul Filson, executive director of the SEIU Connecticut State Council, stepped down in the wake of the firestorm that erupted on Wednesday. The union council also distanced itself from the ad, which was created by an independent-expenditure group known as Labor United for Connecticut, according to the Courant.

A representative for the SEIU state council told NBC Connecticut that it is “extremely regrettable that such poor judgment was exhibited by those tasked with running the independent expenditure and we have taken action to remove those responsible from the campaign.”

See also: Dr. William Petit Blasts Political Ad Linking Him to Donald Trump’s ‘Attack on Women and Families’

Petit is running as the Republican candidate for state representative for the 22nd District, which includes Plainville and parts of New Britain, against Democratic incumbent Elizabeth A. “Betty” Boukus.

The digital ad, which urged voters to “Stop Donald Trump and Republican William Petit’s attack on women and families,” was paid for by a union-based PAC called Labor United for Connecticut and is one of several digital ads targeting about a dozen state Republican House and Senate candidates they say haven’t criticized Donald Trump, the Hartford Courant first reported on Wednesday.

“Anyone familiar with me should be outraged,” Petit said during a press conference outside of his Plainville home on Wednesday morning.

Petit called the ad “reckless and incomprehensible” and called on the organizations and unions related to the PAC to apologize and denounce the ad.

The ad also drew the ire of Petit’s wife, Christine, who came across the ad while reading the Hartford Courant online and said she was “appalled” and “sickened” by it.

Boukus also condemned the ad.

Petit’s wife Jennifer Hawke-Petit and their children, Michaela, 11, and Hayley, 17, were killed in the 2007 home invasion. He met his wife Christine while she was volunteering at a Petit Family Foundation fundraising event in 2012.

The Petit Family Foundation was established in honor of Hawk-Petit and Michaela and Hayley and its funds are “given to foster the education of young people, especially women in the sciences; to improve the lives of those affected by chronic illnesses; and to support efforts to protect and help those affected by violence.”

Visit the foundation’s website here.

Read more about Filson’s resignation at the Hartford Courant here.

File photo