Here’s what other influential city Democrats told the Independent Sunday when asked for their dream ticket:
Audrey Tyson, Democratic National Convention delegate and New Haven Democratic ward co-chair and town committee vice-chair: A Harris-Murphy ticket. “Kamala has a lot of expertise. She is very very smart. She’s worked with the president. So she has the experience. She is definitely someone that people all have a lot of respect for. She’s extremely smart. I think that she would do a very good job. … Chris Murphy also is extremely smart, well liked. I think he could appeal to every ethnic background of people. He’s been senator for a lot of years.”
New Haven Democratic Town Chair Vincent Mauro Jr., who plans to attend next month’s party nominating convention: Also for a Harris-Murphy ticket, which would “cover the two coasts. And I’m rooting for the home team.”
New Haven State Sen. Martin Looney, another convention delegate: “I am supporting Vice-President Harris [for president]. That is the one way we can avoid a chaotic process from now until Nov. 5. The party needs to unite soon and strongly behind her and come out of the convention with a ringing endorsement for president.” It’s “too soon” to pick a vice-presidential candidate because the party needs to see who makes the most strategic sense in rounding out the ticket. In general, “Chris Murphy would be a great vice-president. He would be a great president some day.”
New Haven State Sen. Gary Winfield: It “has to be Kamala” for the presidential nominee. “If Kamala were skipped over, the party would be doing itself a disservice. There are folks who would take that as a slight to not only the vice-president, but to them. Beyond that I haven’t had time to think about who complements her.”
Martin Dunleavy, Democratic National Convention delegate and former New Haven Democrat alder: Today’s not the day to endorse nominees. “I think we need to let the dust settle. There are rumors of other candidates getting into the presidential race. It really should be up to the presidential nominee who they think would be best to add strength to their ticket. The most important thing, as much as I like Sen. Murphy and lots of other senators and Congress members and governors, is: Who is able to help the most to put together an electoral win and who can be capable to step into the job?”
Asked about her vice-presidential preferences, DeLauro responded in a written statement, “There are a number of qualified Democrats to join Vice President Harris on the Democratic ticket. I am confident she will pick someone who can compliment her strengths and who can get to work on day one.”
Dems Praise Biden; GOP Says Time’s Up Now
Meanwhile, within an hour of Biden’s decision, the state’s top Democrats and Republicans began issuing releases offering their takes.
Top Democratic elected officials praised Biden’s decision and record.
“A nation turns its grateful eyes to Joe Biden for his world changing service and his constant selflessness,” U.S. Sen. Murphy was quoted stating. “Joe is a smart, strategic fighter who always – always – looks out for the little guy,” fellow Connecticut U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal stated. State Sen. Looney praised Biden’s “courageous and statesmanlike decision” and called him “an oustanding public servant” since 1972.
The state’s top Republican, state party chair Ben Proto, meanwhile, issued a reaction release depicting the Democratic party “in shambles.” “Thanks to Joe Biden for his decades of public service and we wish him happiness and joy in his forced retirement,” the release stated.
New Haven’s Republican Party issued a separate release calling on Biden to step down now as president given his “impairments”: “His announcement, and recent actions, will only embolden our enemies in the event he decides to finish his term.”