By a truly decisive margin, the Connecticut Democratic Party endorsed Chris Murphy's campaign for the United States Senate.  In a vote of delegates from Connecticut's 169 cities and towns, Chris won 1378 votes - about 76% of all those assembled.  Racking up unanimous support from small towns like Salisbury and big cities like West Hartford, Chris also received overwhelming support from  cities like New Haven, where he wont 73 of the city's 83 delegates.

While Chris spoke of his desire to fight for Democratic principles in the United States Senate, and the need to beat back the Republican effort to give tax breaks to the ultrarich and cut women's access to adequate health care, he spent the most of his nomination acceptance speech talking about what has defined every one of his campaigns.  Starting with his campaign against a 14-term incumbent State Representative to his 2006 campaign against Republican Nancy Johnson, Chris has never backed down from a tough fight, and has always been able to win.

In describing his secret weapon, the thing that allowed him to win in every election he's had, Chris pointed to the people in the convention hall today - "I need your help - we are going to be outspent.  I need you to go out, knock doors, and talk to friends.  Because at the end of the day, it's not the number of ads on TV that's going to win this election - it's going to come down to boots on the ground."

Today, Chris welcomed Hartford Mayor Pedro E. Segarra and the Connecticut Hispanic Democratic Caucus to Team Murphy.  Joined by Mayor Segarra and Chairman of the CHDC Tomas Reyes, Chris called today "one of the most important days of this election."

 In announcing the endorsement, Reyes said, "We know he's not just talking the talk - he's got a track record he can speak from, unlike a lot of the other candidates."

 Chris was excited about the endorsement, which came just days after the CHDC debate (link to blog entry), and noted that, "no matter how badly outspent we are, I'm glad to have the voice of the CHDC behind me".  He went on to remark that if anyone had any doubts about the strength of the caucus, all they needed to do was go talk to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor down the street.

 Any day is great when Team Murphy grows, but there was definitely an added excitement around here today from this endorsement - having the support of the CHDC continue to give us the momentum we need to win!

Yesterday, Chris spent the day crossing the state to meet with delegates to this week's Democratic Convention.  

In New Haven, Chris got the chance to meet delegates from the third Congressional District - including North Haven, Wallingford, Durham, and New Haven.  He was introduced by New Haven's new Democratic Committee Chairwoman, Jackie James who also voiced her support for Chris' campaign.

In the evening, Chris travelled to Stamford, where he was joined at a meeting with their DTC by one of the newest members of Team Murphy, State Rep. William Tong.  William introduced Chris to Stamford's delegates before Chris spoke and took questions on everything from taxes to social security reform.  Chris also took the opportunity to invite the fifty or so members of the city's party leadership to keep in touch with him so he can continue to be involved locally in Stamford.  As Chris said, "I want to know what issues you care about, and the best way I can do that is for you to tell me what's going on in town, and invite me into your homes to talk."

Below are some photos from the event - check back to see if we'll be hosting any events in your neighborhood!

Today, Chris got the chance to talk about what he would do as senator to help create new opportunities for Connecticut's Latinos.  At the Connecticut Hispanic Democratic Caucus, Chris answered questions on everything from educational equality to immigration reform.

 Chris spoke about how education was what allowed him, "one generation from poverty," to be a candidate for United States Senate.  Chris hopes to ensure that all children, whether in Connecticut's largest cities or smallest town, have the same access to a good education.

 Chris also had the chance to discuss his proven record on immigration issues.  About the DREAM Act, Chris said, "Even though we knew that the United States Senate wouldn't pass it, we felt that it was important for the House of Representatives to show its support - and that's why I was proud to vote for it.  That's why we need experienced legislators in the Senate who can fight for its passage."

Yesterday was another big day for Team Murphy.  With Haddam and Morris, Chris has now been endorsed by 66 Democratic Town Committees from every corner of Connecticut.

Last night, Chris was also endorsed by Ed Morris, chairman of the East Lyme Democratic Town Committee, and a Committeeman for the 20th Senatorial District.  Below is a video of his speech - we're excited to have him on board!

For more videos from todays event, please visit our YouTube channel.

Today was a big day for Team Murphy, as a trio of big endorsements were added to thousands of grassroots supporters from around the state.

 Governor Dan Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman - the first democratic administration in nearly twenty years - voiced their strong support for Chris.

 "I've made a decision to support my friend Chris Murphy, who is an outstanding public servant in his own right," said Malloy. "He has all of the skill set necessary to continue to be an effective member of our representatives in Washington.  I hear frequently how often Chris is willing to argue the case for the people of Connecticut."

 "I am glad to be able to throw my support to Chris Murphy today," said Wyman. "I know Chris' voice will be strong and loud for the people of this state."

 Both Malloy and Wyman praised State Representative William Tong, who today ended his candidacy for the US Senate and endorsed Chris.

 "Today, I am proud to announce that Team Tong is merging with Team Murphy. Chris and I see our future from a very similar perspective.  We have the same priorities.  What we're fighting for is the same opportunity that not only that our parents have had, but Chris and I have had.  That's why I'm endorsing Chris."

 Malloy also took time to encourage delegates to the Democratic Convention this month to support Chris Murphy as the best candidate to win in November.

 "I think this race is going to be tough, and we should all get behind a candidate, and Congressman Murphy has one hell of a proven track record of pulling off tough election after tough election after tough election.  I'd hope the delegates would get behind Congressman Murphy."

At the Unite Connecticut Women rally, Chris spoke with the women and men of all ages who are fighting every day to protect the reproductive health rights of women in Connecticut and around the country.  From the National Organization for Women to Planned Parenthood, these organizations are helping to ensure that all women have access to the healthcare services they need.

Concerned citizens packed a community room at the Uniterian Church in Westport on Saturday to hear U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy speak about a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that many attendees feel will quash the public's influence in federal elections.

Murphy, D-5, did little to quell the public's concerns about corporate political influence when he addressed "the disaster that has been wrought by Citizens United" and the possible remedies for the controversial Supreme Court decision at the Unitarian Church.

"If we let this go on much longer, we may never get it back," he said.

Cathy, Owen, and I are thrilled to welcome to the world Rider James Murphy (Rider is old family name on the Murphy side). Born on 11/11/11, he checked in at 7 lb, 7 oz - pretty big for arriving almost a month early. Owen is excited, and has already said he'll share his fire trucks (but his trains are off limits).

More at http://www.facebook.com/chrismurphyct

As I am sure you know, the House just voted to increase the debt limit. I voted against the bill.

I heard from many of you throughout this debate. The phones were ringing off the hook and emails flooded my inbox. In the end, what I heard from people across the state was that we needed to raise the debt ceiling, while making sure that any related deficit reduction was done in a way that shared the pain, protected our social safety net, and helped put people back to work.

Abby from Middlebury sent these thoughts:

"Please focus on extending the debt so we do not default AND protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security not only for the elderly today but for future generations. Don't let the Republicans eviscerate the social safety net!!!"

Tonight, I wanted to take a moment and share why I voted the way I did, and to ask for your thoughts.

First, there is no question that the debt limit needs to be increased. And there is no question that we need to make hard choices to dramatically bring down our deficit. But this crisis was totally manufactured by a small group of extreme right wingers who are intent not on simply reducing government spending, but on destroying government altogether. And the bill that resulted was rightly described by most political commentators as a victory for their cause.

I was willing to vote for a compromise. But this was not a compromise, it was a near complete capitulation.

Look, I work hard to promote bi-partisanship and cooperation across the aisle. I lead a group in the House called the Center-Aisle Caucus designed to bring Members - Republicans and Democrats - together to get to know each other and to start building the bonds that might make this place work better. In my work on the Buy American agenda, almost every effort I put forward is done with bipartisan support. If I believed this was a true compromise where both sides were giving up significant concessions, I would have voted for it.

But this bill didn't ask one corporation to give back a single tax break. This bill didn't ask one billionaire to pay a dime more in taxes. And all the spending on the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars were exempt from the spending caps in the bill. Without putting revenue on the table, and mandating the end to these wars, we can't be serious about real shared sacrifice.

And while I have long been willing to speak out on the need for spending cuts, the cuts in this bill - including major, arbitrary cuts to Medicare - fall disproportionately on the backs of seniors and the middle class.

I was hoping that I would have some time back home in Connecticut before voting on this bill to hear from even more of my neighbors and constituents (it's especially ironic that the party that complained that the health care bill was "jammed through" after one year of debate, didn't even allow for 24 hours of sunlight on this $2 trillion piece of legislation). But this false crisis meant that I had to make the call based on what I thought was right.

In the end, I could not support a bill that fed the extremist drive to kill off government one piece at a time. And I could not endorse a process that rewards legislative hostage-taking, resulting in hasty, under-informed decision making. That's what I think. But just as importantly, I want to know what you think. Please let me know by clicking here:

http://www.chrismurphy.com/debt-ceiling

While I certainly respect those who voted for this bill, I firmly believe this was not the right product or process for this great and compassionate nation.

Thank you for reading this. Now that we are past this manufactured crisis, I will continue to focus on what people tell me they care about most: creating jobs and opportunities for people across Connecticut and around the nation.

Sincerely,

Chris

Will you host a team meeting for Chris?

We're asking people to sign-up to host team meetings in their home for Chris.

Let us know you're interested and we'll be in touch with all the tools you need to make your event a success.

The three M's: money, message and mobilization.

As the campaign manager for Team Murphy, I spend a lot of time thinking about how to raise the money needed to win a competitive race, spread the campaign's message to voters across the state and mobilize enough supporters to deliver victory next November.

We're doing great on the money front. Powered by well over 2,500 individual contributions since we launched, our campaign hit its fundraising goals for the second straight quarter, collecting over 1,000 individual donations from Connecticut residents in the last three months alone.

We've generated a good deal of earned media, as well. You may have seen the big news that the Fire Fighters became the fourth statewide labor union to join Team Murphy yesterday.

Now it's time to focus on mobilization.

We're going to win this race by empowering supporters to get in the game and spread the word about Chris to their family, friends and neighbors.

Would you be willing to start that conversation by hosting a team meeting at your house for the campaign?

Sign-up to host a team meeting here:

http://www.chrismurphy.com/team-meeting

The team meetings promise to serve as the foundation for the kind of grassroots campaigns Chris has famously run in the past.

Only this time, instead of stopping at the doorstep to hold a conversation with a potential supporter, we'll come inside to have an old fashioned discussion about issues that affect your families and community.

Hosting a team meeting is easy, but the first step is indicating your willingness to do so.

Once you sign-up we'll be in touch with all the tools you need to host and promote your team meeting to family, friends and neighbors in your community.

Sign-up here to host a Chris Murphy team meeting:

http://www.chrismurphy.com/team-meeting

You won't be alone on the big day either. Let us know if you're interested in having Chris or someone from the campaign stop by or call into your meeting.

We'll do everything we can to help ensure a successful event.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Kenny Curran
Campaign Manager, Team Murphy