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Campaign Notebook: Boisterous Crowd at Senate Debate

News and updates from the campaign trail in Connecticut.

Senate

The third debate between Chris Murphy and Linda McMahon was a wild one due to a raucous crowd. According to the Connecticut Mirror, the crowd, “asserted itself with repeated interruptions of Murphy that ranged from derisive laughter to boos to one woman's shout for him to simply ‘shut up.’"

After the third of four debates came to an end, Murphy accused McMahon of bringing in supporters, “to shout me down off the stage because she’s afraid of debating the issues,” reports the Associated Press.

The debate ended suddenly for television viewers when Linda McMahon (R) had her closing remarks cut off. A post on her Facebook page saying the statement should be aired on the 11 p.m. news received 2,400 “likes” from supporters. WTNH apologized for ending the debate short and said the full debate can be viewed on its website.

Fifth District

The Fifth District remains tightly contested in the polls, but not when it comes to finances. The Hartford Courant reports Elizabeth Esty raised $2.7 million so far, and Andrew Roraback raised $1.18 million. Esty contributed $525,000 of her own money, but only has $208,000 on hand at the end of the quarter. Roraback gave $25,000 of his own money but has $306,000 left.

The money raised doesn’t tell the whole story, however, as both campaigns have outside groups spending approximately $1 million each to influence the election. 

Other Districts

Third District

Rosa DeLauro (D): Former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter died on Sunday after representing Pennsylvania for decades – both as a Democrat and a Republican. DeLauro said this about him on Twitter:

Arlen Specter will be remembered as a supporter of biomedical research, independent mind, thoughtful and serious legislator.

Wayne Winsley (R) had two campaign events on Tuesday. First, he met with voters at the North Branford Senior Center. Later that evening, a “flash mob” of supporters was planned for downtown New Haven.

Fourth District

Jim Himes made a campaign stop in Monroe and said he is “feeling optimistic,” reports Patch. Himes criticized opponent Steve Obsitnik for not being, “clear on Medicare vouchers and he refuses to say whether he supports the Republican budget.”

Obsitnik’s campaign responded that Himes is “pushing this narrative” that’s untrue.

“They must not be listening, because Steve has been pretty specific about what he wants to do as far as preserving and protecting Medicare, to reduce and balance the budget and to simplify the tax code," said Amanda Bergen, spokesperson for Obsitnik’s campaign.

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Eric T Gray May 17, 2013 at 03:54 pm
Jessica, what do you mean 'when society lets them down'? I'm struggling to understand what you areRead More trying to convey... Please elaborate if you can.
Most Popular Poster May 17, 2013 at 02:03 pm
"Bethel teachers are not only educating students, but when society lets kids down, it’sRead More teachers who step in to fill the gap." Explain to me how an average salary of $60,000 per year for working 183 days during that year and an EXTREMELY generous retirement package (compared to the 240 a year the rest of us have to work) considered "society letting them down"?
Most Popular Poster May 17, 2013 at 09:42 am
It was a great job Mike and the EDC did on keeping the jobs from Cannondale from leaving Bethel. TooRead More bad Paul Z. won't have the guts to ask you about it on this "lively" show.
Princess Pea May 17, 2013 at 12:26 am
Billy: Since I don't own a beat up 1998 Honda (rather, a non-beat up, rather nice, rather newRead More European sedan) does that mean I would have been immune to the seduction of the reduction in my property taxes? Just trying to follow your logic here...