Danbury Mayor Gets into Heated Twitter Exchange With State Democratic Official

DANBURY, CT — A simple three-word Twitter post regarding the multi-million dollar buyout of fired UConn football coach Bob Diaco's contract led to a nasty war of words Monday on the social media app between longtime political adversaries.

Danbury mayor Mark Boughton, 52, a Republican who has headed the city since 2001 and twice campaigned unsuccessfully for governor, reacted to news of Diaco being owed $3.4 million by posting "Oh good grief..." on Twitter at 8:10 a.m.

Just over three hours later, Michael Mandell, 29, executive director of the Democratic State Central Committee, responded, "How quick b4 you attack @DanMalloyCT? Dont let holiday hld back ur crass politics-we need a gov cndte negotiating UCONN athletics contracts"

Boughton, who has announced he intends to seek the governorship in 2018, escalated the heat by inferring Mandell may face legal consequences pertaining to a grand jury and FBI investigation into alleged fundraising improprieties by the Democratic State Central Committee. He fired back, "Enjoy these holidays with your family young Michael. You won't be in CT for them next year. #OrangeIsTheNewBlack"

Mandell responded, "@MayorMark atta way to address the qstn-driving histrionics. Q for you - are you running for @UConnHuskies director or to be a real leader?"

The remainder of the exchange was as follows:

Boughton: "Think about things in the pokey. You'll be ok. Make friends when you get there - fast. Don't tell anyone about your degree."

Mandell: "@MayorMark this is you: bit.ly/2gVz3uL , this is me: ctdems.org/2016/12/happy-holidays-from-the-connecticut-democratic-party/ …"

Mandell: "Oh @MayorMark can't respond, can ya? It's gonna be a tough couple years when you can't be a real leader. #charactercounts"

Boughton: "Hahahaha. Character counts. Ya kill me. Tell ur cell mate about your "character""

Mandell: "There are real issues that @DanMalloyCT & @CTDems are fighting in state & then theres 3-timer @MayorMark giving it a shot 4 pure politics"

Boughton: "Real issues? Please.. Don't don't do us any favors. Your "work" has put us last in every category in the free world. Stop."

The string finally ended at 2:49 p.m.

Patch file photo