United States

Connecticut Leaders React to Esty's Decision Not to Seek Re-Election

Connecticut leaders are reacting after U.S. Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty announced she will not run for re-election amid criticism after she admitted to keeping her chief of staff on after he threatened another staff member.

On Thursday, Esty, who represents the 5th District, issued an apology for failing to protect female employees who said Esty’s former chief of staff, Tony Baker, harassed them, including one woman who said she was punched in the back and received death threats.

Some lawmakers, including members of Esty’s own party, have called from her to resign. But others, including Sen. Richard Blumethal and Congressman Jim Himes called for patience and more information, while Sen. Chris Murphy and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro said Esty should remain in office.

Esty has said she will not resign. On Monday she announced she will not seek a fourth term in Congress, one that she was likely to win. She also apologized to her former staffer.

“In my final months in Congress, I will use my power to fight for action and meaningful change…I intend to spend the coming months doing what I’ve always done: working hard each and every day for the people of Connecticut.”

Many say that Esty’s decision is the right one.

“The truth is, too many facts about how this incident was handled fall short of appropriate standards for responsible and responsive leadership. Fostering a safe and supportive workplace culture for staff must be a guiding principle for all managers, and especially all elected officials, from local office all the way up to the President,” Gov. Dannel Malloy said in a statement.

“I think this is the right decision and I thank Congresswoman Esty for her many years of service to the residents of the fifth district and the State of Connecticut,” Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman added.

Senators Blumenthal and Murphy and Congresswoman DeLauro also backed the decision.

“This decision is the right one. Elizabeth Esty has done much good and fought relentlessly for highly significant causes like gun safety. She made profound mistakes, as she has acknowledged. Harassment and assault in any workplace are unacceptable,” Blumenthal said in a statement.

“Elizabeth is a friend and a colleague, who has fought hard on behalf of the people she represents for the past six years. I have spoken to Elizabeth at length over the past few days, and I support her decision to not seek re-election. No one should ever be harassed, assaulted or intimidated at work. Elizabeth knows she handled the dismissal of her former Chief of Staff badly. The decision she made today is the right one for her, and I look forward to working with her during the remainder of her term,” Murphy wrote in a statement.

“Anna Kain’s story is heartbreaking, and she showed great courage by coming forward to share it. People should be safe from harm everywhere they go—especially at their workplace. Congresswoman Esty made a difficult decision, but the right one for her and the constituents of her District," DeLauro said.

Judy Villa, the chairwoman of the Cheshire Democratic Town Committee, was disappointed with the news.

“Personally I think this is a tragic loss to the 5th district, to the state and frankly to the United States,” she told NBC Connecticut.

Democrats are now tasked with figuring out who to run in what had become a safe Democratic district. This also gives Republicans a significant boost to their chances in what has historically been a swing district.

Contact Us