Barbara Crouch, Republican candidate for state Senate in the 19th District, said Tuesday that she opposes the "crony capitalism" exhibited by a junket to the Kentucky Derby that Norwich Mayor Deberey Hinchey and others took that was paid for by the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative.

Crouch said the $340,000 junket, which included a private charter flight from Groton, is indicative of the "political kickbacks we see so often in Connecticut."

Crouch called Hinchey one of the most notable advocates and donors to the campaign of her opponent, incumbent state Sen. Cathy Osten.

"This is one more example of why we need transparency by our elected officials," she said in a campaign release. "Ms. Osten may not have known about her advocate’s involvement before the news broke this week; therefore, I call on her to publicly stand with the taxpayers of the district and against crony capitalism....”