Hartford, Ct. – Connecticut Democratic Party Chairman Nick Balletto and Vice Chairwoman Dita Bhargava released the following statements.

“If tonight’s goal was to hit the reset button after a disastrous start to his presidency, Donald Trump utterly failed,” said Balletto. “The agenda this president has outlined not only runs counter to our values as a nation, but is also dangerous. His immigration policy will make our communities less safe and tear families apart. Another ill-conceived Muslim ban will target law-abiding people while playing into the hands of terrorists’ recruiting strategies. And stripping health coverage from millions of people will literally cost lives.

“The best way to stop Trump’s dangerous agenda is to elect Democrats who will stand up for our values in 2017 and 2018. As we have seen at town halls across the country, and, as was evidenced by increased Democratic turnout in tonight’s special elections, our party is fired up and ready to organize.”

“Tonight I was proud as our congressional delegation invited guests who represent Connecticut’s inclusive spirit in the face of President Trump’s backwards and hateful agenda,” said Bhargava. “An Afghan interpreter and refugee, a Jordanian native who was detained because of Trump’s failed Muslim ban, an Iraqi-American who fled sectarian violence, a hospital president advocating for the Affordable Care Act, a college president training the next generation of Connecticut workers, a school principal committed to the future of public education, and a police chief dedicated to strengthening our nation’s gun laws – all of these people represent the best of the state of Connecticut and the Democratic Party. I want to thank our delegation for standing up for Connecticut’s values.”