Democrats praise election as “rebuke” of Tea Party

By Jordan Fenster, Register Staff Robby Mook, executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, claimed during a conference call Friday that Elizabeth Esty’s victory in the 5th Congressional District was a “rebuke” of the Tea Party agenda. “Republicans were … Continue reading

Connecticut Election Results: Elizabeth Esty defeats Andrew Roraback in 5th District

By Jordan Fenster and Luther Turmelle Democrat Elizabeth Esty narrowly defeated Republican Andrew Roraback in the race for Connecticut’s 5th District Congress seat Tuesday thanks to huge margins of victory in New Britain and Waterbury. She won 144,687 to 136,599, … Continue reading

Esty, Roraback likely to spend Election Day trying to increase turnout

By Jordan Fenster, Register Staff According to those familiar with the race, both Democrat Elizabeth Esty and Republican Andrew Roraback will spend the last few hours before polls close of Election Day shoring up their bases and making sure the … Continue reading

Record-Journal endorses Esty, Republican-American endorses Roraback

Two recent newspaper endorsements split the 5th Congressional District. The Record-Journal, in Meriden, endorsed Democrat Elizabeth Esty, calling her “perspicacious,” with “more-intriguing economic policies than her opponent.” The Republican-American, out of Waterbury, endorsed Republican Andrew Roraback, who they said “would … Continue reading

Cook Report moves 5th District into ‘toss-up’ column

The Cook Political Report has changed its rating of the 5th Congressional District from “lean Democratic” to “toss-up.” “The generic lean of this seat may ultimately give Esty a tiny edge, but socially liberal GOP state Sen. Andrew Roraback is … Continue reading

Vince McMahon donates to Roraback campaign

On the list of individuals who donated to Andrew Roraback’s campaign for congress in the 17-day October filing period, one name in particular stands out: Vincent K. McMahon. Vincent McMahon, you may be aware, is the husband of Linda McMahon, … Continue reading

Esty decision on Hamden school may have played role in legislative loss

By Jordan Fenster, Staff Reporter Did Elizabeth Esty’s suggestion that funding be cut from a Hamden school contribute to the 2010 loss of her state House seat? Possibly, according to one local Democrat. The New York Times’ endorsement of Esty … Continue reading

Republicans put Esty on list of “corrupt Democrats”

The National Republican Congressional Committee has put Elizabeth Esty on its list of “corrupt Democrats,” and has produced a web ad citing her husband’s sate connections. Esty’s husband is Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Dan Esty, and Republican … Continue reading

New York Times endorses Elizabeth Esty

Though it wasn’t unqualified, The New York Times released it’s list of endorsements recently, and on it was Elizabeth Esty. “In this open seat there are two excellent candidates,” the endorsement says, though Esty ”proved she will vote her conscience” when … Continue reading

Death penalty takes center stage in 5th District debate (News Junkie)

By Hugh McQuaid, CT News Junkie NEW BRITAIN — Fifth District Congressional candidates Andrew Roraback and Elizabeth Esty share a fundamental opposition to the death penalty, but Roraback voted against repeal this year and Esty accused him of “waffling” during … Continue reading

5th District race sets record as most expensive Connecticut U.S. district race in history

By Jordan Fenster, Register Staff With more than $11 million spent in the 5th Congressional District campaign, and a few weeks yet to go until the election, it’s the most expensive U.S. House race in the state’s history. According to … Continue reading

Are religious leaders influential in Congressional elections?

By Jordan Fenster, Register Staff This year, when the bishops who run the Archdiocese of Hartford, the Diocese of Bridgeport, the Diocese of Norwich and the Ukrainian Diocese of Stamford asked Connecticut’s 12 federal office candidates to meet the bishops, … Continue reading

Actor Sam Waterston, songwriter Tom Lehrer, playwright David Rabe give to Esty; Kennedy relative donates to Roraback

Among those individuals who donated to Elizabeth Esty’s campaign for the 5th Congressional District are songwriter and math teacher Tom Lehrer and “Law and Order” actor Sam Waterston. Lehrer, known for the satirical songs he recorded in the 1950s and … Continue reading

Roraback, Esty face off in 1st debate in quest for 5th District seat

By Jordan Fenster, Staff Reporter TORRINGTON — In a highly charged and highly partisan debate, Elizabeth Esty and Andrew Roraback squared off for the first time Tuesday at the Warner Theater. The debate moderator, Republican-American Executive Editor Jonathan Kellogg, started … Continue reading