GOP candidate rally set for weekend, raising questions

Margaret Streiker, the real estate executive challenging New Haven’s 15term incumbent Rep. Rosa DeLauro for her seat in Congress, hopes to jumpstart her campaign with an in-person rally at the Milford train station Sunday raising questions about what campaign season will look like for all candidates in Connecticut.

The last event Streiker held was a February fundraiser. Since then she’s quietly raised money and made calls, but the first-time candidate, like many others, took a step back from public campaigning as the global health pandemic raged on.

Still, Streicker’s campaign has raised $311,000, including a $100,000 loan from herself as of April 22, the most recent filings with the Federal Election Commission

“It’s wonderful frankly how excited people from all parts of the political spectrum are to see change and make a change and how energized everyone is,” she said Monday. “Since the reopening is really just starting this week, we’ve been at the mercy of the governor’s precarious ability to make plans, like he has, and like everybody else. Now we’re back.”

None of the promotional materials for Streicker’s Milford rally, scheduled for Sunday at 11 a.m. on the northbound side of the Milford train station, include reminders for social distancing and mask guidelines. But Streicker said she’s asking people who might be vulnerable to the disease to stay home.

“Of course everyone is doing what they can and making their own personal decisions for how to keep themselves safe,” Streicker said. “We’re hosting this outdoors, and encouraging everyone to wear masks. A lot of communication is happening electronically and I encourage everyone to do what’s appropriate for them. I think it’s going to be quite a solid turnout.”

Last week, Gov. Ned Lamont increased the permitted gathering size for private outdoor events to 100 people, while still requiring masks for anyone who can’t maintain a 6-foot distance from non-household members. Inside events are still limited to 25 people with a few exceptions including religious services.

Streiker’s rally, one of the few live political events to be hosted by any candidate across the country, comes a week after President Donald Trump hosted a poorly attended rally in Oklahoma.

Streicker’s rally raises questions, though, about what campaign season will look like for all candidates this campaign season. All five of Connecticut’s U.S. Representatives are up for re-election as well as all state legislators.

Republican Party Chairman J.R. Romano said he hasn’t received any questions from candidates about how to proceed, but said his advice to candidates is to err on the side of caution to make voters feel comfortable. Romano said the party purchased 1,500 face shields, which have been distributed to local town committees that have requested them.

“What I would encourage is whether you agree or disagree with the social distancing and mask protocols, you don’t know where other people are, “Romano said. “So if there’s an outside public gathering, certainly participate if you feel comfortable and that’s why we’re offering the face shields. You never know if you put on an event who is going to come and who’s comfortable, or if you’re knocking on doors you don’t know if that person is comfortable talking to you without a mask or a shield. So my advice is to use every tool that’s available to adhere to the guidelines to make people comfortable when you’re campaigning.”

Romano said that witnessing large protests across the country, including one for racial equality and social justice in Hartford that drew 3,000 people last Friday, could make people feel more comfortable about attending large gatherings for other reasons.

“I think more people are willing to go out and engage with people,” he said. “I think ultimately it’s a free market. The question is are people going to answer the door? Are people going to show up? It’s an odd, odd time and we’ve become a little more creative.”

Nancy DiNardo, chairwoman for the State Democratic Party, said she’s encouraging candidates to take advantage of virtual or distancing campaign strategies like phone banks and mailers.

Gov. Ned Lamont discouraged door-to-door campaigning during his daily coronavirus briefing. Lamont spokesman Max Reiss added later that large rallies that exceed the gathering guidelines are also discouraged.