”I have worked every day to be the representative I needed someone to be for me for 40 years.” Hayes excoriates all who came before her, with no exemption for Murphy.

Nobody has ever done it in the 5th District like two-term incumbent Jahana Hayes. The Democrat facing some national headwinds is in a tight race with Republican George Logan. Hayes told supporters last weekend that trailing in polls is an advantage, though her tone betrayed a different emotion. ”Listen up, Democrats, you ain’t never been through nothing? The polls have me down right now and that is probably the best news we could have gotten 10 days out….”

Hayes, emphasizing her well-rehearsed life story, declared to volunteers that the district finally has someone who does the job right–her. ”I have worked every day to be the representative I needed someone to be for me for 40 years.” All who came before were wanting. The video is included in a post from enthusiastic Hayes supporter Alfonso Robinson.

Hayes, a former school teacher, did not include an exemption for her initial political patron, Senator Chris Murphy, who represented the 5th for six years, from her condemnation of inadequacy. Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz nods and applauds. She would, wouldn’t she? It was Bysiewicz who in her losing 2012 Senate primary campaign against Murphy engaged in ugly low murmurs against Murphy that left deep scars.

Connecticut Democrats, who dominate every level of politics in the state, are unnerved by the rare high-stakes competitive race. The erosion of their traditional fundraising advantage adds to their anxiety and resentment. In her campaign trial, Hayes often be startled to learn that many Democrats do not sufficiently share her alarm at the prospect of 5th CD voters not giving her a third term. Some are perplexed at why Hayes has not buttoned down her district in the last four years after such a promising start. Others are not.

Published November 3, 2022.