by Scott Whipple (New Britain Herald)
Last Election Day, millions of voters nationwide frustrated with the current administration in Washington voted Republican.
But not in Connecticut.
Here in The Land of Steady Habits, the Grand Old Party failed to pick up a single seat in Congress and fared almost as poorly in state elections. Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, buoyed by a surge of late votes in Bridgeport and New Haven, became the state’s first Democratic governor in a generation. His margin — a slim 6,700 votes.
What made the difference? Like most close elections, political observers were eager to cite various factors. In the gubernatorial race there was an unprecedented mobilization by union members, an increased voter turnout in the cities and what might have been the deciding factor — the showing at the polls of the state’s Working Families Party.
An independent, grassroots political party the WFP and its ballot line attracted 26,000 votes for Malloy — a much larger total than his actual margin of victory.
Jon Green, executive director for Working Families, wasn’t bashful about discussing his party’s impact.
“Working Families endorses candidates who support policies that make a real difference in the lives of ordinary people,” said Green. “Things like ensuring that workers can earn paid sick days, closing corporate tax loopholes and making health care more affordable.”
Green added that “now more than ever, we need our elected leaders to be more responsive to the needs of hard-working families.”
During his campaign Malloy had been vocal in his support of paid sick days legislation — a top priority for the Working Families Party.
According to a poll conducted before the election by Suffolk University, most Working Family voters are independents. Party leaders boast that the WFP knocked on more than 50,000 doors this year to reach out to these voters.
In discussing results of the mid-term election, Republican Justin Bernier said the state GOP could learn from groups like WFP in terms of mobilizing voters and listening to their concerns.
“Voters we spoke to this year are frustrated with the difficult economy,” said Green. “They’re concerned that neither party seems like they’re putting the needs of ordinary families first, ahead of the demands of high-powered lobbyists and special interests.”
Southington and Berlin could be a case study on how the Working Families Party can make a difference in close elections. The party cross-endorsed Democratic state Reps. Joe Aresimowicz and Zeke Zalaski — two legislators who, WFP leaders say, have been forceful advocates for working class families.
State Rep. Corky Mazurek, D-Southington and Wolcott, — a “conservative” Democrat who had opposed legislation on paid w days and a bill to stop the outsourcing of good jobs — was not cross-endorsed by WFP. Mazurek lost by 45 votes, while Aresimowicz and Zalaski received 345 and 176 votes, respectively on the Working Families ballot line.
“Some issues I and Working Families support aren’t exactly popular with lobbyists and political heavy hitters, but they’re the right thing to do,” said Aresimowicz. “Having a group that actually gets out and knocks on doors in support of certain issues makes it easier for legislators to stand strong for them.”
This election year, the Working Families Party endorsed 93 candidates in the state — mostly Democrats. However, the occasional Republican and independent also received the party’s nod. In total, 73 WFP candidates were victorious, including four who — like Malloy — would have lost their race without the votes cast on the Working Families line.
Steve Cassano won a state Senate race in Manchester by 73 votes after a recount — with nearly 1,000 of his votes on the Working Families ballot line. Jim Crawford of Westbrook was elected to the state House by a margin of 22 votes — 235 of his votes came from the WFP ballot line.
“The lesson here is that when you speak up for what you believe in and for what matters to [working] people, voters will reward you for it,” said Green. “After this recent election, I hope Democrats and Republicans will work on getting the economy back on track for the middle class.”
Working Families hasn’t closed up shop since Election Day.
“We’ll be knocking on doors all year round, talking to voters, working hard to make sure our politicians deliver for ordinary people, rather than special interests,” Green vowed.