Former Connecticut House Republican Leader Themis Klarides received the endorsement of 47 current state lawmakers this week for her U.S. Senate bid.
This compounds an already strong showing of support Klarides has boasted among party leaders and committee members across the state. Should she secure her party’s nomination in the August 9 primary, she will face 10-year incumbent Senator Richard Blumenthal (D) in November.
Klarides’s successor as House Minority Leader Vin Candelora (R-North Branford) and other former General Assembly colleagues touted what they see as the candidate’s strong budgetary experience. They also praised her economically conservative perspective, which they said would help to correct what they consider harmful Leftist policies pursued by Blumenthal and President Joe Biden that have exacerbated inflation.
“Themis Klarides knows what it takes to fight and win when it counts the most,” Candelora said in a statement. “Washington is in desperate need of someone with the leadership abilities, courage, and principles that Themis embodies. Connecticut needs a fighter in Washington who will hold this administration accountable for their poor leadership and failed policies. Themis is the candidate to defeat Dick Blumenthal this November.”
Klarides also has the support of the Connecticut State Police Union. That organization, in endorsing her last month, lauded her support for funding improvements to state police barracks and other facilities as well as her support for maintaining “qualified immunity” (i.e., protection from lawsuits) for law-enforcement personnel.
The candidate expressed her gratitude for the approval she garnered from legislators this week.
“I am honored to have the support of so many former colleagues who continue their fight everyday against the progressive madness in Hartford,” Klarides said. “They understand why we need to unify and focus on defeating Dick Blumenthal and the Democrats in November. The people of Connecticut are looking for solutions as the failed Biden-Blumenthal policies have created record inflation, skyrocketing food costs and gas prices that are reaching all-time highs. Together, we can bring real change to Washington.”
Other candidates currently seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate from the Constitution State include former secretary of state hopeful and former gubernatorial candidate Peter Lumaj as well as litigator John Flynn and Marine Corps veteran Robert Hyde.
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Bradley Vasoli is managing editor of The Connecticut Star. Follow Brad on Twitter at @BVasoli. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Themis Klarides” by Themis Klarides.
