Economy, affordability the focus for GOP

Meriden Unity Picnic aims to rally party for November

MERIDEN — Coming together was the theme for the Connecticut Republican Unity Picnic at the American Legion Post 45 in Meriden on Sunday. Connecticut’s top-ranking Republican candidates and voters joined together for hotdogs and hamburgers while kicking off a general election campaign they said is all about “taking back” the state from democratic incumbents.

The picnic came after the Democrats held a similar event over the weekend with a Unity Rally in Hartford on Saturday.

Republican Party Chair Ben Proto said the idea for the picnic is to rally the base and come together as a party going into the November general election. Proto said that Republicans need to put their differences aside and “get focused” on the issues that matter most to voters.

“It’s aboutunity, not purity,” Proto said. “It’s Okfor people to have differences of opinion, and it’s OK for people to support different candidates. But now we have our candidates, and we have to be united and work together if we’re going to be successful.”

Proto said that while a range of issues will be on the ballot, the economy and affordability will be highest on voters minds.

“It’s the economy, inflation and affordability,” Proto said. “Connecticut is not affordable, and we’re seeing it rank in the top three of the highest taxed states in the country. We have the highest property taxes in the country and the highest energy costs in the continental United States. That’s the message.”

Candidates who were present at the picnic included gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski and his running mate Laura Devlin, U.S. Senate candidate Leora Levy, attorney general candidate Jessica Kordas, congressional candidate for the 4th district Jayme Stevenson and a slate of other candidates seeking office across the state.

“One thing we hear in every corner of the state is people are looking for change,” said Devlin, Stefanowski’s running mate for Lt. governor. “So this is really a rally for us. We’re done with the primaries now so let’s focus on November and win.”

Devlin said that in her four prior elections for state representative, constituents would

often tell her how the state has become “too expensive” and “too high taxed.”

“There is a desire to truly make this state more affordable,” Devlin said. “It’s time we get really straight andserious withthe people of Connecticut. I think the time has come for people wanting something different.”

Levy, who won Donald Trump’s endorsement to challenge U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal in November, said the time has come for Republicans to get behind their values and

ideals and put petty differences aside.

“The night I won on Tuesday, I called for unity. Our party must unite. We’re all Republicans. We have political differences with the Democrats, but as Ronald Reagan said, there may be issues we disagree on, but my 80% friend is not my20% enemy. It’s time to come together.”

Levyagreedwiththeothercandidates that the economy is one of the most important issues going into November but also “parental rights and medical freedom.”

“Everything I havedoneistobuildourbase and build a strong Connecticut Republican party. We need to defeat Blumenthal, [Gov.

Ned] Lamont and win majorities in the state house. That’s what I’m working for.”

Otherattendeesandcandidatesagreedthat focusing on issues relevant to voters will be a winning strategy in November.

“It’s always about the economy,” said Donald Jepsen, Windsor town council member. “This time we would actually like to win, and we feel this is our chance to unify and talk about issues that are important to voters. We have a real shot here if we can get together.”

Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com.