Campaign Notebook: A One-Person 'Debate' About Jobs

Fifth District

The Democratic primary has been settled, with Elizabeth Esty upsetting Chris Donovan. Despite the outcome, Donovan is still in the race as a candidate for the Working Families Party. The Hartford Courant reports that there’s pressure on Donovan to back out of the race and allow Esty to focus on Republican Andrew Roraback.

Second District

Paul Formica (R). Formica today issued the following statement on the ongoing federal budget problems:

 “Representative Courtney today stated that continuing temporary budget resolutions and the Budget Control Act passed by Congress in 2011 are sufficient to run the federal government. As a family man, municipal leader and small business owner, I understand the need to create an annual budget and stick to it every single year. At a time when our country is faced with a 16 trillion dollar debt, Congressman Courtney believes that minimal reductions in the Farm Bill are the way to address our out of control spending."

Senate

Linda McMahon may have declined Chris Murphy’s invitation to debate earlier this week in Hartford, but that didn’t stop Murphy from showing up at the debate anyways. According to CT News Junkie, Murphy spent the "debate" talking about his jobs plan and taking written questions from the crowd.

Some volunteers from the McMahon campaign reportedly showed up to heckle the congressman and hand out information about McMahon’s jobs plan.

Third District

Rosa DeLauro (D): The incumbent’s campaign website has a section on her positions on the economy, which reaffirms her support of the stimulus plan and other infrastructure projects.

Wayne Winsley (R): The campaign is organizing a “Stand-Up for a Change” comedy event at the Palace Theater in Danbury on Sept. 22. Tickets are $35.

Fourth District

Jim Himes (D): A story in the Connecticut Post about opponent Steve Obsitnik failing to vote in some elections is being used by the Himes campaign as political ammunition.

“We need everyone's input, and anyone running for Congress should know that,” Himes said in a statement. “It baffles me that someone who wants to represent us in Washington wouldn't feel that same commitment, especially in recent years, when the stakes have been so high. If they don't, they should reconsider why they are running for office."

Steve Obsitnik (R) released a statement saying that Todd Akin of Missouri should drop out of the senate race for the candidate’s “legitimate rape” comments.

“Akin's remarks concerning the 'legitimacy' of rape are outrageous and intolerable," Obsitnik said.  "His beliefs are an affront to victims, and all women, and do not reflect the views of the party I'm running to represent.  He should withdraw from the Missouri Senate race immediately."