'Dirty Harry' Text Lands Trumbull's Herbst in Hot Water: Report

TRUMBULL, CT—It appears Republican First Selectman Tim Herbst and Democrat State Rep. David Alexander's friendly political college rivalry has turned sour.

Alexander, an Enfield state representative, filed a formal complaint with the State Capitol Police after Herbst sent him a text message with a video clip from "Sudden Impact" starring Clint Eastwood, according to the Hartford Courant. It is part of the "Dirty Harry" series of movies.

The movie is famous for Eastwood's "Go ahead, make my day," line as he points a gun at a criminal suspect.

Alexander considered the text a threat and police told Herbst not to have anymore contact with him, according to the Courant. Herbst said the text was meant for someone else and Alexander overreacted.

Herbst and Alexander's rivalry started in college when the two both ran for student body president at Trinity College. Now Herbst has targeted Alexander along with other vulnerable state Democrats up for reelection with his political action committee.

Alexander was stripped of legislative committee assignmentsfollowing his second DUI arrest in 18 months.

Read the full Courant report here.

Image of Herbst (right) at meeting by Rich Scinto