To The Editor:

We live in scary times. The federal government is attacking the Constitution and our democracy. Governor Lamont’s cautious approach to governing is not what we need. Our Senators Murphy and Blumenthal advocate that Democrats at all levels must be more aggressive. We need a governor who is outspoken in defense of state rights and individual rights. We need Josh Elliott.

Connecticut needs a governor with fire in his belly, someone not afraid to stand up for us. Josh Elliott has been fighting for progressive change to benefit the lower and middle class throughout his ten years in the state legislature. Josh Elliott rose to positions of power in the Legislature because of his strong advocacy and leadership.

Silence in times like these is complicity. When Trump attacked Governor Janet Mills at a White House dinner in 2025 for her refusal to roll back Maine’s protections for transgender kids, she held firm. Lamont sat silently next to her even though Connecticut’s laws are similar. When Trump commanded that flags be dropped to half-mast after Charlie Kirk was murdered, Lamont complied. He went along with the message that a racist should be honored as a hero. The governors of other nearby states did not.

This is not the time for business as usual. In normal times, working toward conciliation and consensus makes sense. Lamont’s style worked during Trump 1.0. Now we are dealing with Trump 2.0: Trump on steroids. Trump 2.0 does not respond to reason. He sees negotiation and compromise as weakness.

Lamont has not adapted to the changed situation. Josh Elliott will not sit quietly on the sidelines while our democracy is gutted. Vote for courage, vote for strength, vote for leadership on August 11th. Vote for Josh Elliott for Governor.

Anne Renner

Newtown