Branford’s common room was invaded this past Monday by politicians from all over Connecticut. The Dems hosted Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, introduced by Dems’ President Ben Stango as “our next Senator,” who spoke about the his plans and vision for Connecticut and the country. Beginning with his ardent support for a federal consumer protection agency, Blumenthal continued, mentioning his support for further financial reform, military tribunals, federal education reform, and reforming the rules of the filibuster in the Senate.

Following the Yale Law alum, Yale College alum Susan Bysiewicz, the current Secretary of State of Connecticut running to become the state’s next Attorney General, spoke on the state of the campaign, and the issues she would pursue most as Attorney General, such as controlling the state’s energy costs, the highest in the continental United States.

Also present at the meeting were Aldermen Mike Jones and Roland Lemar, New Haven’s state Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield, and former Alderman Gerry Garcia. Lemar is seeking election as a state representative, while Garcia is running to follow Bysiewicz as the next Secretary of State.

Press roundup and pictures below.

Obama becomes issue in CT Senate race

Blumenthal not sure if Obama will campaign

Blumenthal unsure if he wants Obama to campaign for him

Blumenthal noncommittal on Obama help in campaign

Yale politicians talk elections

Blumenthal speaks to Yale Dems

Blumenthal Runs Away from Obama

Blumenthal and Bysiewicz

This past Monday, the Dems co-hosted an immigration panel with MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) de Yale. The panelists, Prof. Michael Wishnie of the Yale Law School, Kica Matos, formerly of the New Haven Mayor’s Office, Dartmouth Professor Lourdes Gutierrez Najera, and Henry Fernandez of the Center for American Progress, who spoke about the current state of immigration reform in the United States, the effects of the Obama administration has had on it, and the experiences of immigrants in New Haven and around the country. After an hour of discussion, the panelists joined students for small group discussion, question-and-answer sessions.

This past Monday, Rudy Marconi, First Selectman of Ridgefield and current exploratory candidate for governor, visited the Dems and spoke about his plans to reform education, transportation, and the Connecticut economy, as well as his avid support for public financing of campaigns. The New Haven Independent was on-hand at the event (see their coverage below).

Mr. Clean Money Comes to Town

Marconi