West Hartford News: West Hartford Democrats endorse Murphy for U.S. Senate

November 22 2011

For the original article, please visit the West Hartford News

WEST HARTFORD — The West Hartford Democratic Town Committee last week unanimously endorsed Chris Murphy’s campaign for United States Senate.

West Hartford, with 42 delegates at the last Democratic convention, is the sixth largest delegation in the state and the biggest DTC to endorse so far in the 2012 campaign.

“The members of the town committee wanted to support Chris and the vote is a reflection of his support here. He is the strongest candidate to be our next U.S. Senator. His record as a Congressman stands for itself, he will be a great Senator for West Hartford, and that is why we’re proud to have endorsed him,” said Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Rae O’Toole in a statement.

She also personally endorsed Murphy.

By endorsing his surging campaign, the West Hartford DTC joins other local leaders who have signed on to Team Murphy. State Sen. Beth Bye (D-5th District), State Rep. Andy Fleischmann (D-18th District), State Rep. Brian Becker (D-19th District), State Rep. Joe Verrengia (D-20th District), and West Hartford’s Democratic State Central Committee Members Barbara Gordon and Joe Stafford have all also endorsed Murphy.

“I am honored to have such strong and early grassroots support from the Democrats of West Hartford. People know West Hartford has one of the best Democratic organizations in the entire state, their legislators are well respected at the Capitol, and it means the world to me to know they’re in my corner as we go forward in this campaign,” said Murphy after learning of the endorsement.

Since announcing his candidacy in January, Murphy has displayed a clear and growing momentum in the race to replace retiring Senator Joe Lieberman, according to the West Hartford Democrats. He has received the endorsement of Connecticut’s entire Congressional House delegation, Attorney General George Jepsen, Comptroller Kevin Lembo, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, dozens of state senators and state representatives, and 6,000 Democratic and progressive activists from all across Connecticut. In addition to political support, Murphy has displayed a clear advantage in fundraising by outraising his opponents 2-1 in the first year of the campaign, the West Hartford Democrats said in a statement.