DeLauro vows to fight for women, middle class

NEW HAVEN — U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, was nominated unanimously to run for another term by delegates from towns in her district Monday night, and promised to continue fighting for issues important to Connecticut’s middle class and women.

“When women and families succeed, America succeeds,” DeLauro told several hundred delegates gathered in the auditorium at Hill Regional Career High School. “I take this (nomination) not as a reward for things I have done in the past, but as a challenge to do more in the future. I do not take you trust for granted and I continue to promise not to shy away from these hard-fought battles; I never have and I never will. ”

DeLauro, who is a New Haven resident, has represented the 3rd District since 1991. She is facing a rematch with Republican Angel Cadena, who unsuccessfully ran against DeLauro in 2016.

DeLauro called the 2018 midterm elections a fight “for the soul of our country.”

DeLauro said the Trump administration has stacked the deck against working people and has “hollowed out” government agencies meant to help Americans.

“President Trump and Republicans are hard at work destroying our government, our democratic institutions, the rule of law, the very bonds that tie us all together.” she said. “Families need a hand up. Republicans gave the wealthiest a hand out.”

She saved the strongest criticism in her acceptance speech for federal Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. DeLauro and DeVos clashed in March during a hearing on private companies servicing student loans.

“Let me tell you, Betsy DeVos, we are not going to privatize our education system,” DeLauro told the delegates Monday.

Prior to the delegates’ vote, DeLauro drew praise from New Haven Mayor Toni Harp.

“Thanks to Rosa DeLauro, New Haven is well positioned for the future,” Harp said in a welcoming speech to the delegates. DeLauro’s support of workforce training and bio-medical research have benefited New Haven-area residents of all ages and socio-economic groups, according to Harp.

Rabbi Herb Brockman of Congregation Mishkan Israel delivered the invocation at the start of the convention and, in doing so, praised DeLauro’s efforts in fighting for the less fortunate.

“Rosa is always speaking up and speaking out,” Brockman said. “She speaks to the better angels in all of us.”

DeLauro