Ted Kennedy Jr. Campaigns For Moore In Trumbull, McCarthy Primary Battle Looms

Just days from Tuesday’s Democratic primary, State Senator Ted Kennedy Jr. on Thursday campaigned for his colleague Marilyn Moore in Trumbull where the freshman state senator is working to build her suburban numbers from two years ago when she received just 20 percent of the primary vote on her way to defeating incumbent Anthony Musto by running up large pluralities in Bridgeport. With nearly a term under her belt Moore has raised her profile in the suburbs and bringing in a Kennedy with strong Democratic credentials to greet the peeps adds some prestige as she tries to fend off City Council President Tom McCarthy, the party-endorsed candidate, who’s counting on a strong suburban showing.

“Marilyn has been a strong and effective leader for her district,” says Kennedy. “She’s been a key partner on the Environment Committee and a great voice to have in caucus. Senator Moore deserves re-election.”

“I’m proud to have had Senator Kennedy’s support today in Trumbull to support my re-election and speak to my constituents,” said Moore in a statement. “Ted, as Co-Chair of the Environment Committee a committee I serve on, has brought tremendous energy and commitment in Connecticut’s fight to preserve our natural resources and protect us from polluters. I’m proud of what we accomplished together, and look forward to next session as we continue to get results for the people of the 22nd.”

Kennedy and Moore met with voters for breakfast at the Old Town Restaurant a short walk from Trumbull Town Hall.

Moore is the only African American woman in Connecticut’s State Senate and a coalition that includes Connecticut’s Working Families Party, unions, local political operatives and senate leadership is trying to help her deliver a second term.

This race is different from two years ago when Moore knocked off Musto on her way to a general election win. Moore will perform stronger in the suburbs than two years ago and McCarthy, an aggressive campaigner, figures to do better in Bridgeport than Musto.

Connecticut’s 22nd District covers all of Trumbull, one-third of Bridgeport and a portion of Monroe. Trumbull political operatives supporting McCarthy assert that Moore is Bridgeport-centric irrespective of McCarthy being an establishment Bridgeport politician. Moore, however, is touting a record for the suburbs that surpassed her Trumbull-based predecessor such as securing additional money for suburban schools and a recent success story she can share with residents of Trumbull’s senior housing complex Stern Village, an $800,000 state grant for improvements.

What’s also different for Moore is a stronger suburban campaign operation that includes groundwork from members of the politically active Connecticut Carpenters Union and Connecticut Education Association that represents teachers. In an endorsement letter to its membership Glenn Marshall, president of Carpenter’s Local 210, writes Moore “has made sure that all three towns she represents received more state aid–despite the state’s ongoing fiscal problems. She is a strong supporter of the prevailing wage, she she has fought to increase the minimum wage.”

McCarthy is backed by Trumbull’s Democratic political establishment including Musto, the town treasurer. Some political observers say Musto is working harder for McCarthy than in his own race last year. McCarthy represents the North End on the City Council. He’s hoping his council district base turns out a higher number than two years ago when Moore defeated Musto.

McCarthy’s campaign operation is also banking on an absentee ballot edge heading into primary day.

Tuesday’s primary winner will face Republican Elaine Hammers in November.