Second District
Joseph Courtney (D) introduced new legislation last week that would help students and their families gain more information about their financial aid options for college. The legislation, which has 11 co-sponsors, would ensure that the aid award letters that students receive would come in a standard format with understandable language and easy-to-understand terms, according to Courtney's Web site.
Fifth District
Elizabeth Esty (D) opposes the Keystone natural gas pipeline, yet employees from a law firm representing the backers of the pipeline have contributed more than $26,000 to her campaign. According to the CT Mirror, Esty worked for the Sidley Austin law firm for a short time in the 1980s and was unaware of their involvement with the pipeline.
Andrew Roraback (R) appeared on NPR’s “Where We Live” and described himself as a moderate Republican, while criticizing extremists in both of the major parties, reports the Register Citizen.
“There’s been no middle ground,” Roraback said. “Both parties have been going away from the center.”
Senate
U.S. Sen. John McCain joined Linda McMahon (R) on the campaign trail in Connecticut on Monday, with planned stops at the Disabled American Veterans Hall in Danbury and a meeting of McMahon supports at the Norwalk Inn.
"This election rests on the veterans," McCain told veterans, reports Danbury Patch. "Turn out the vote. I want each of you to call 50 people. Even call your mother-in-law. This is a call to action."
Chris Murphy (D) criticized the company opponent Linda McMahon keeps. The Murphy campaign says McCain “led the charge” on a plan that “nearly cost the state its submarine base and tens of thousands of Connecticut jobs.”
“Whether it’s Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, or John McCain, Linda McMahon just can’t hide her close ties to the national Republicans that she hopes to join in Washington,” said Ben Marter, a spokesperson for Murphy. “McMahon has already publicly toyed with the idea of closing Connecticut’s sub base, but cozying up to the man who almost single-handedly destroyed southeastern Connecticut’s economy is beyond the pale.”
Third District
Rosa DeLauro (D): The fundraising deadline for the quarter was Sept. 30, and DeLauro was among the many candidates throughout the state asking supporters for donation via email.
“Are we going to attempt again to build our economy from the top-down by giving more tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans, or are we going to grow our economy from the bottom-up by creating jobs, investing in education and health care?” DeLauro said in the email.
Wayne Winsley (R): Vice presidential hopeful Paul Ryan was in Connecticut for some fundraising events. A photo on Winsley’s Facebook page shows the two candidates posing together.
Fourth District
Jim Himes (D) was recently lauded by the Concord Coalition for his support of a failed budget that would have reduced the nation’s debt. His campaign, in a press release, emphasized that “Himes’ commitment to fiscal responsibility is not new” and began in his first term.
“In early 2010, he and three other first-term representatives urged House Leadership to cut actual spending when the House passed a budget for the coming fiscal year. Later that year, he helped lead a group with three other first-term representatives that sought creative ways to reduce wasteful spending, introducing $70 billion in cuts.”
Steve Obsitnik (R) talked with The Hartford Courant about the record of opponent Jim Himes and the chances of winning in the Fourth District.
“People have gotten very invigorated about the fact that we need to have a fiscally conservative, socially moderate person back in this district, and that’s what I represent,” Obsitnik said.
