"The voters have spoken but I’m still scratching my head" - Former State Senator Mike McLachlan.

If McLachlan is scratching his head, then it's painfully obvious that he either not paying attention to his opposition, or not taking his opponent seriously.

I'll have my take on what really happened Tuesday, and why the defeats of McLachlan and Boucher should not be as a shock to many...and why newly elected Democrats in Greater Danbury would be wise to get to work for the common good of all their constituents in their districts...the Presidential 2020 cycle is closer than you think.

I waited 10 YEARS for this moment...from last night, here's video footage of Mike McLachlan conceding to Julie Kushner...

I'll have more on last night HUGE win for Democrats in Greater Danbury later...

As a representative for a community that is still dealing with the after-effects of the Sandy Hook tragedy, when questioned about his bump stock stance, Duff has routinely ignored the topic while using "mental health" as a scapegoat for his pro-NRA voting record.

At a recent debate in Redding, while Duff stumbled to defend his bump stock vote, Raghib Allie-Brennan set the record straight about the state lawmaker's willingness to ignore his community.

On Election Day...in the 2nd district...the choice is clear...

I'll say it again...in the 24th State Senate district, incumbent Michael McLachlan is running a desperation campaign built on fear tactics and dishonesty.

It's bad enough that the far-right extremist tried to scare voters into believing that his challenger Julie Kushner supports highway tolls, now he's straight up trying to scare his base to come out and vote.

"In a different twist on traditional efforts to promote Election Day turnout, Republican state Senate leaders have paid for mailers that falsely warn that their own voters could get tossed off the rolls if they fail to get to a polling place on Tuesday.

A campaign mailer that might have targeted those GOP voters who might have missed the last election, includes a scratch-off sticker that supposedly includes information to make voting easier on Tuesday. That’s news to the Secretary of the State, whose office warns that the mailer could prove confusing for local poll moderators.

The mailers were sent out on the behalf of state Rep. Pam Staneski of Milford, who is running for a Senate seat that includes West Haven, Woodbridge and Orange. Her opponent is Democrat James Maroney of Milford.

Other districts where the mailers were sent include those of state Sen. George Logan, R-Ansonia and Sen. Michael McLachlan. Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano of North Haven said that he wasn’t fully informed about the full circulation of the mailer, but thought it might have been to more-competitive districts."

[...]

“There is no requirement to bring any mailer sent by a candidate or a political party to the polling place on Election Day,” said Gabe Rosenberg, communications director for the Secretary of the State. “A mailer that purports to be an official document but is not can potentially cause confusion in the polling place.”

Connecticut, unlike some other states, does not have a voter-purge process, noted Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven. “This is almost the flip side of those red states, such as Texas, where they are trying to suppress the vote,” Looney said. “We have no provision that you’re going to be removed from the ballot if you fail to vote.”

Residents in the 24th State Senate district deserve better than this...

This morning, I had the opportunity to interview 24th district Democratic State Senate candidate Julie Kushner and get her opinion on Mike McLachlan's latest attack ad where he falsely states that she supports highways tolls.

Dog Whistle: A coded message communicated through words or phrases commonly understood by a particular group of people, but not by others.

While avoiding to debate his opponent, in recent days State Senator Mike McLachlan has proven that he'd do anything to win an election...and now his desperation includes a smear campaign built on false information, "dog whistle" scare tactics, and an unparalleled level of dishonesty that is unbecoming of anyone who wants to represent the residents in the 24th district.

First, a little background is in order:

The debate over installing border tolls in the state has been a hot button topic in Greater Danbury with most residents who live along the CT/NY border in the 24th district expressing strong opposition to the plan. Knowing that the issue of tolls would inflame the passions of voters in the district who live along the state border (1st and 2nd ward of Danbury/New Fairfield), McLachlan and the State Republican Majority Committee took a page out of President Trump’s playbook by mischaracterizing his challenger's comments in order to gain votes. In his latest attack piece, McLachlan approved the following statement: "Kushner supports increasing taxes and instituting tolls."

There's only one thing wrong with McLachlan stating that Kushner wants to "instituting tolls in the state"...it's not true. To make matter worse, McLachlan knows that his mischaracterization of Kushner's stance on tolls is a lie because he was present when she stated her position.

Recently, McLachlan and Kushner participated in a forum hosted by the Northern Fairfield County Association of Realtors. At the forum, the panelists asked the candidates whether or not they support highway tolls in the state; Kushner's answer was clear and made within an earshot of McLachlan.

Last week, McLachlan and Kushner met together with members of the editorial board of the Newstimes where both candidates were asked for their opinion on highway tolls...and while McLachlan was present, Kushner stated her opinion on the issue.

They both oppose tolls, but Kushner would want to invest in new public transportation infrastructure like more rail lines while McLachlan sees them as an expensive extravagance that few would bother to use.

It’s bad enough that McLachlan continues his old and tired tradition of not debating his opponent and limiting his public appearances during the campaign season, now the State Senator, whose campaign is showing signs of nervousness, has resorted to a strategy based on the using fear, dog whistle tactics, and dishonesty in order win an election...and it’s wrong.

People in the 24th State Senate district deserve better than this.

While Manny Santos is on record for supporting the President Trump’s deficit-busting tax breaks for the rich, when it comes to rising cost of higher education and ways to assist working families who are struggling to pay off college debt, at a recent debate in Danbury, the the 5th CD Party of Trump candidate offered a simple solution: Get a job!

Needless to say that Santos’ solution didn’t sit well with Jahana Hayes...

Unnecessary tax breaks for the rich while working families who are struggling with college debt are told to get a job...

Food for thought this November.

With one month until the midterm elections, hundreds of progressives came out in force and packed La Mitad del Mundo - Restaurant in downtown Danbury to show their support for the Democratic ticket.

Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes headlined one of the most impressive political rallies in Danbury in recent memory and energized those in attendance with her words of optimism and encouragement.

Hats tip goes out to the Bethel, Danbury, Bookfield, and New Fairfield Town Committees as well as the Facebook group Greater Danbury Votes for hosting the impressive event.

Greater Danbury candidates in attendance: Daniel Pearson (State Rep. 107th), Julie Kushner (State Senate 24th), Raghib Allie-Brennan (State Rep 2nd), David Arconti Jr (State Rep. 109th), Bob Godfrey (State Rep 110th).