Another day, another endorsement of Republican Clay Cope from an out-of-touch, Family Institute of Connecticut (FIC) backed state senator. Yesterday it was Senator Kevin Witkos. Today it’s Senator Michael McLachlan. These endorsements keep raising questions about what Mr. Cope stands for, as he continues to tout the support of elected officials with anti-woman, anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ voting records, but refuses to clarify his own opinions.

• In 2009, McLachlan opposed the legalization of marriage equality in Connecticut, going so far as to offer an amendment that was rightly decried as homophobic by members of both parties.

• In 2011, McLachlan killed a law requiring parental permission for teens to use tanning beds to reduce their risk of cancer by introducing an amendment that would require the same for abortions, directly attacking reproductive rights.

• Also in 2011, McLachlan voted against the bill protecting transgender individuals from discrimination.

• And just last year, despite no evidence of wrongdoing on their part, McLachlan called for an investigation into Planned Parenthood over doctored videos. He has yet to retract this call after the video‘s makers were indicted in Texas for violating the law while Planned Parenthood was exonerated.

“Throughout his campaign, Clay Cope has steadfastly refused to answer questions regarding just about any topic facing the voters of the 5th District. Yet he continues to roll out endorsements from FIC-backed, anti-LGBTQ, anti-choice legislators. It is time for Mr. Cope to stop hiding and answer the question: Does he stand with Mike McLachlan, Kevin Witkos and the FIC or with the women and LGBTQ people of the district?” – Connecticut Democratic Party spokesman Leigh Appleby

Also, it has been a more than a month since Mr. Cope attempted to accuse Rep. Elizabeth Esty of supporting Hillary Clinton (true), while refusing to answer whether he would support Donald Trump if he were the nominee. If he is serious about running for Congress, Mr. Cope needs to make his opinions on Trump’s candidacy known. The voters deserve answers.