Democrats, Hatfield criticize Visconti tweet as racist

Perennial Republican candidate Joe Visconti tweeted a photo of Democrat William Tong Wednesday afternoon labeling Tong, who is Chinese, “Kim Jong Tong.”

The tweet was condemned by state Democrats Thursday, who called on Republicans to reject Visconti’s “thinly veiled racist language.” Tong, a state representative from Stamford, is running for attorney general. If elected, he would be the first Asian-American to hold statewide office in Connecticut.

“The ink hasn’t been dried on William’s primary victory and the first thing out of the gate is a racist attack on William,” said Mark Bergman, spokesman for Tong’s campaign. “This kind of rhetoric has become endemic in the Republican party.”

Visconti, a Trump supporter whose only elective position was a single term on the West Hartford town council, considered runs for governor and U.S. Senate in 2018 and has sought numerous offices in the past. Visconti has never met Tong, but decided to tweet after watching one of Tong’s television commercials, he said Thursday.

“He’s acting like a tyrant. In his television ads using President Trump, it just looks like the debate between (leader of North Korea) Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump,” said Visconti. “He just happens to be of Asian descent.”

“The ink hasn’t been dried on William’s primary victory and the first thing out of the gate is a racist attack . ... Mark Bergman, spokesman for William Tong’s campaign for attorney general

Tong promises to oppose President Donald Trump’s policies in campaign advertising. Nick Balletto, chairman of the state Democratic

party, called on leaders of the Republican party, including the party chairman, GOP nominee for governor Bob Stefanowski and GOP attorney general nominee Sue Hatfield, to speak out against the tweet.

“This is a disgusting, vile

and disrespectful tweet and no way to refer to a candidate who could make history in the state of Connecticut,” said Balletto in a statement.

“The modern-day Republican Party has descended into spreading racist language.”

Hatfield’s campaign said Visconti does not speak for their campaign.

“Sue will not tolerate any of this kind of rhetoric,” said Spencer Rubin, Hatfield’s spokesman.

J.R. Romano, chairman of the Republican party declined to comment.