Connecticut’s Democratic leaders said Wednesday they were disappointed with the election of Donald Trump but would work across the aisle and uphold the values of Connecticut residents.

U.S. Rep Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, who was elected to a 10th term Tuesday, said in a statement that “we as a nation must respect the will of the voters and facilitate a peaceful transfer of power, which is foundational to a healthy democracy.”

Courtney said he was disappointed Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz did not win. He said their campaign focused on real-life issues and put forth detailed plans, including to spur new housing and expand Medicare coverage for home health care.

“Regardless of who holds the Oval Office, I will always use my vote in Congress to uphold our constitution and represent the people of the Second Congressional District to the best of my ability,” Courtney added.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said by phone that he is disappointed with the results but intends “to continue to fight for the people in Connecticut and stand up to hold accountable anyone who abuses their power and does harm to Connecticut’s people.”

“I’ll continue to work across the aisle when possible, especially for a better economy and lower prices, more jobs, better skill training and job opportunities, as well as protection for kids online, from the dangers of social media and gun violence prevention,” he said. “But I will be standing strong for basic values and freedoms that Connecticut holds dear: a women’s right to make reproductive choices and freedoms, gun violence prevention, civil rights, liberties and holding accountable corporate giants who may abuse their powers, so we have a lot of work ahead and a fight.”

At a post-election media briefing at the the State Capitol, broadcast on CT-N, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said Connecticut will stand up for reproductive rights and health care access, LGBTQ+ rights, labor rights, gun safety and civil rights, freedom of thought and expression, and “continue to welcome new people to our state, who come from other countries and make our state stronger and more vibrant.”

She added that Connecticut will “continue to be a bulwark for the nation.”

Comptroller Sean Scanlon said Connecticut’s elected leaders “will continue to fight for Connecticut values” and continue to work across the aisle when they can.

Gov. Ned Lamont noted that kids he met on Halloween were tuned in to the election, and some of them were children of color or transgender children.

He shared the message that “here in Connecticut, we love you. We’re all God’s children. Your friends want to see you in school tomorrow, and that’s what it means to be in Connecticut.”

At Capitol Lunch in New Britain, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who was re-elected, said he will work with Trump on areas of overlap that help Connecticut but thinks those areas will be pretty small.

“People in the state do not support abortion restrictions; people in the state don't want another round of tax cuts for millionaires; people of this state don't want to see our nation's gun laws undone,” he said in remarks provided by staff. “So just as I did in this first round, it's likely that I'll end up helping to lead the fight against the policies that he supports that will hurt Connecticut. That's the mandate I will have from the people of Connecticut. But as always, if there are opportunities to reach across the aisle, I'll do it.”

He said he’s proud of the bipartisan successes in his last term.

Attorney General William Tong vowed to never back down from protecting residents. Responding to the election results, he said it’s clear that a lot of people are hurting now because the cost of food is “escalating at an unsustainable pace.” He said his office would ramp up its investigation of food and grocery prices and prescription drug prices.

He also said the state would focus on ensuring access to vaccines, fighting against climate change and “big oil,” and opposing energy cost increases.

Connecticut Republican State Chairman Ben Proto said by phone that with the Trump Administration, Republican Senate, and probably Republican House, the opportunities are there “to really change the economic future of our country and the economic situation for Americans both here and across the country.”

He said in Connecticut 40% of families can’t afford to pay their bills every month, job growth is lagging behind the national growth average and the cost of living is outpacing other states. He said Connecticut under Trump will see the economy and inflation under control, home ownership as a viable alternative, and the state as more affordable. He said President Joe Biden and Harris failed to do that, and Harris “never articulated a plan to do it.”

“It’s a new day in America, and I think its going to be a great day in America moving forward,” Proto said.

Reproductive rights

During the media briefing, some officials raised concerns about a potential national abortion ban. Blumenthal said a potential national ban would preempt state law in Connecticut, and “there’s no question that people around this president want to ban abortion across the country.”

But he noted “the strong, growing, powerful weight of public opinion” in support of reproductive freedom, illustrated by referenda in Missouri and Arizona that protected reproductive rights.

He said if there were to be a threat of a national abortion ban, “we’re ready, willing and able to make that fight at the national level.”

Tong said Connecticut would fight “tooth and nail” an attempt to enact a national abortion ban, not only through Blumenthal, but also through the courts. He said the U.S. Supreme Court said in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that this is a matter for states to decide.

He said Connecticut has ensconced reproductive rights in its law, so he would argue that if there were an attempt at a national abortion ban, it “could not preempt Connecticut.”

Checks and balances

Officials also noted there are checks and balances within the government.

Tong said he now will “lean into” his role as vice president of the National Association of Attorneys General to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. He said he and his Democratic colleagues are unified.

“This firewall that we built is as strong as it has ever been, and if anyone tries to come into our states, take advantage of, rip off or attack the people and families in our states, we will stop them,” he said.

Blumenthal said by phone that he thinks there are risks to democracy and threats that have been articulated by some at the national level, for example the potential to enact a national abortion ban, roll back protections against gun violence, or constrain and suppress civil rights or voting rights.

He said he is “prepared and ready and willing to fight hard against any efforts to undermine democracy.”

k.drelich@theday.com