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Connecticut is governing through what can only be described as a Trump hurricane. Federal funding cuts, delays and abrupt rule changes are threatening health coverage, food assistance, housing, education, scientific research and clean-energy investments. At the same time, the federal government is weakening consumer protections, undermining due process and abusing immigration enforcement to intimidate communities and bypass the rule of law.
At a moment like this, stability is not a lack of ambition. Stability is what protects people and enables progress.
Gov. Ned Lamont’s responsible leadership has put Connecticut in a position to withstand these attacks. Under his administration, the state rebuilt its reserves, strengthened its pension funds, earned repeated credit-rating upgrades and enacted significant middle-class tax relief.
Because Connecticut entered this crisis on stronger financial footing, Gov. Lamont and Democratic legislators were able to establish a $500 million emergency response fund to help preserve health care, nutrition, housing and other essential services affected by federal cuts. We have also strengthened Connecticut’s civil-rights and due-process protections and created greater accountability when federal actions challenge constitutional norms.
That is not standing still. It is responsible Democratic governance.
As vice chair of the legislature’s Finance Committee, I have seen how financial stability allows us to protect current services while making the long-term investments Connecticut families deserve. We are increasing education and special-education funding, expanding access to child care and directing more aid to municipalities to reduce pressure on local property taxpayers. We must continue building on that progress.
I respect Josh Elliott as a committed Democrat who shares many of these goals and has raised important issues. This primary is not about whether Democrats care about affordability, education, health care or economic fairness. We do. The difference is how we turn those values into lasting results.
Josh argues that Connecticut has not moved quickly enough and has proposed broader tax increases and a more aggressive approach to public power. Tax fairness and utility reform deserve serious discussion. But proposals must be evaluated not only by how bold they sound, but by whether they will produce sustainable revenue, lower costs and protect Connecticut’s jobs and economic competitiveness.
Gov. Lamont understands that meaningful reform requires careful analysis, durable coalitions and attention to long-term consequences. His goal is not merely to announce the most sweeping proposal. It is to enact policies that work and can be sustained.
Revolution Wind offers a powerful example. The project is now delivering electricity to the New England grid despite repeated efforts by the Trump administration to stop a project that was already permitted and largely built. Gov. Lamont fought to protect that investment, and Connecticut residents are benefiting from an important new source of regional energy.
That accomplishment reflects the value of steady, determined leadership. Gov. Lamont has focused on increasing energy supply, improving reliability and strengthening accountability while avoiding promises that could burden taxpayers or destabilize Connecticut’s economy.
These are more than isolated policy differences. They reflect different ideas about leadership. Gov. Lamont recognizes that progressive goals are meaningful only when we can enact them, fund them and sustain them. He understands that protecting Connecticut from federal attacks while continuing to move our state forward requires both ambition and discipline.
Josh Elliott has contributed to an important Democratic conversation, and Democrats should emerge from this primary united around our shared values. But Gov. Lamont has demonstrated the temperament, experience and governing ethos Connecticut needs in this extraordinary moment. He brings people together, recognizes economic realities and turns progressive values into practical, durable results.
During the Trump hurricane, Connecticut does not need promises that overlook the storm around us. We need the steady leadership that prepared our state to weather it, is protecting our residents through it and will keep Connecticut moving forward.
That is why I am proud to support Gov. Ned Lamont.
Savet Constantine
State Rep. for Wilton, New Canaan and Ridgefield
