GOP seeks local edge in run for Congress

5th Congressional District’s, Sherman First Selectman Clay Cope is hoping to end his party’s losing streak.

HARTFORD >> The 41 cities and towns in the 5th Congressional District last elected a Republican in 2006, but Sherman First Selectman Clay Cope is hoping to end his party’s losing streak.

Of all of the House races in Connecticut this year, Cope’s may be the closest.

It’s the most Republican of Connecticut’s five congressional districts. There are only four big cities — Danbury, Meriden, New Britain and Waterbury — which tend to lean Democratic.

But it’s still considered a long shot. The National Republican Congressional Committee hasn’t dedicated any resources to the race like it has in the past. An NRCC “young gun” designation would come with a much-needed boost in campaign funds.

In July, according to Federal Elections Commission documents, Cope had raised more than $61,000 — many times more than any of his fellow Republicans. However, it’s still far less than the $1.5 million his Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, has raised.

One of Cope’s biggest criticisms of Esty, of Cheshire, has been what he describes as her absence from the district.

“I never met with Elizabeth Esty in any official capacity. She’s never been to Sherman,” Cope said during a recent interview. “So that’s why I’m running, because I think I’ll do a better job.”

Cope, who has served as first selectman of the town of about 3,500 residents, touted his three terms as chief administrator for the bedroom community on the New York border.

Cope said Sherman’s budget is in the black and they have rebuilt its Rainy Day fund and paid down past debts.

Cope’s history in Sherman may be why he perceives Esty as lacking an understanding of local concerns, and why that cuts deep for him. “You have to be present,” he said. “You’ve got to be in the district. You’ve got to visit every town. I believe there’s four or five towns she hasn’t visited in any official capacity. I’ve been first selectman for five and a half years, she’s been in for four years. She still has not been here.”

Tom Stewart, a spokesman for Esty’s campaign, refuted this claim, saying Esty has been “to every “city and town in the district and her outreach reflects a deep and genuine commitment to meet with and listen to residents throughout central and northwest Connecticut.” Moreover, he wrote, “Elizabeth has reached out to Mr. Cope more than 20 times since she took office to invite him to community events and to ask how she can be helpful to him. He never responded, and only showed any interest in meeting with her after he decided to run for Congress.”

Cope vows to visit every town in his district at least once a year if elected “to stay in touch and up to date on local issues.” It also falls in line with how Cope perceives his own duty as a public servant — to satisfy the voter. “I agreed to run because I am very big on customer service as a public servant,” he said.

Over the last three years, Esty has held at least nine “Congress on Your Corner” events where constituents are able to speak with Esty one-on-one to share their thoughts regarding issues.

It’s about the economy, stupid

Cope said his number one priority in Congress will be job growth and the economy.

“All the Republican presidential candidates have plans to lower and simplify taxes,” he said. “We need to lower federal spending to get a balanced budget and shift as much power and money as possible back to the states.”

However, when it comes to Connecticut’s economy, he blames Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for sluggish job growth.

“Malloy in my view equates Obama, equates Clinton, equates Esty.” In particular, Cope chalks General Electric’s decision to move its corporate headquarters from Fairfield to Boston in large part up to Malloy’s “failed policies.”