Campaign Notebook: Shays Relying on Reputation

Senate

Chris Murphy (D): According to Public Policy Polling, Murphy will most likely win the Democratic primary and ultimately defeat Linda McMahon in the general election, reports the New Haven Register. 

Christopher Shays (R): With a disadvantage in funds and polling against Republican rival McMahon, Shays hopes to win the primary based on his political experience and reputation, reports The Day. Shays has spent 21 years in Congress and 12 years before that in the state General Assembly.

Second District

Joseph Courtney (D): Courtney is blasting a GOP-backed measure in the U.S. House that he says would raise taxes on military and middle class families. In a press release he issued today, Courtney said H.R. 8 would raise taxes on about 25 million middle-class families by reducing tax credits, including the child tax credit. At the same time, Courtney said, the measure would continue other tax breaks for families earning more than $1 million. “Last week, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that would extend tax cuts on income up to $250,000 for all Americans,” Courtney said in his release. “I said then that if the House passed the exact same bill immediately, the President would sign it without hesitation. Instead of following that clear, pragmatic approach – an approach that would protect middle-class families and help us avoid the January 1 fiscal cliff – House Republicans are pushing an option that raises taxes on the middle class and military families to protect tax breaks for the very rich.”