Let it not be said that Newtown candidates went all the way to Election Day without at least one controversial bump in the road.

On the evening of October 30, several social network followers brought it to The Newtown Bee’s attention that 106th District General Assembly incumbent Rep Mitch Bolinsky had posted a Facebook promotion touting an endorsement by the Police Officers Association Of Connecticut (POACT). According to the association’s website, the POACT was “founded in 2016 to bring all police officers and police unions together, regardless of union affiliation, to be a strong and unified voice in public policy and legislation.”

Membership in the Association includes unions from large cities as well as small towns, including Newtown, regardless of union affiliation. The site goes on to state that “every police officer and police union is encouraged to participate in this Statewide Association, dedicated to Legislative Advocacy.”

The issue involved Rep Bolinsky touting the POACT’s endorsement, along with an unrelated image he circulated earlier this year following a ride along with a Newtown officer. Shortly after the endorsement and image appeared on the lawmaker’s Mitch For Newtown Facebook page, the Newtown Police Department posted the following message on their Facebook site:

“On 10/30/18 a local elected politician put a post on their Facebook page indicating that he was being endorsed by the Police Association of Connecticut (POACT), a law enforcement legislative advocacy group. While the Newtown Police Department appreciates those that work on behalf of law enforcement officers and public safety, the Newtown Police Department does not, and cannot, endorse any specific politician and/or political party, as per our policy. We thank everyone for their understanding and wish them well in their endeavors. The photo utilized mistakenly represented a department officer in the referenced endorsement.”

Upon being contacted regarding the issue, Rep Bolinsky replied, taking responsibility for the post. His e-mail reply states, “Our team has been working on replacing the graphic with a new one. We’ve thoroughly updated social media and will continue to look for stray shares if any still exist. Our website does not appear to have included the subject photo or graphic, so only the new graphic appears.

“It’s important to know that the use of that photo was in no way meant to upset anybody in the community or imply a direct endorsement by the Newtown police. We assumed it was common knowledge that all law enforcement endorsements come from organized labor PACs and that local police departments like ours are always neutral on such matters. I have been personally in touch with the chief [James Viadero], and we agree that a less personal photo would be more appropriate to present this legitimate and vetted endorsement from the Police Officers Association Connecticut PAC. I have also apologized to the chief and the officer pictured for any inappropriate attention brought by the unintended controversy resulting from its use.

“With the understanding that no offense was ever intended, full responsibility for the use of the original photo is mine. I own it, just as I am proud to own the POACT endorsement, earned by way of my strong and consistent support of law enforcement and first responders, locally, across the state, and nationwide.”

The notice on the police department's Facebook page has since been deleted.

It was not the first scuffle for a candidate on the campaign trail this election season. Senator Tony Hwang had a dustup in August after his campaign used the logos for two nonprofits that do not lend their names to political causes. 

Additional Endorsements

Rep Bolinsky, his challenger Rebekah Harriman-Stites, and lawmakers and challengers on Newtown’s ballots have received a number of other key endorsements. Among them are:

Rep Bolinsky — endorsed by former Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra, The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), The National Federation of Small Businesses (NFIB) Connecticut PAC, and Connecticut Realtors (CAR).

Newtown’s 106th District Democratic challenger Ms Harriman-Stites — endorsed by Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal.

Incumbent State Rep Will Duff (R-2) — endorsed by the Police Officers Association of Connecticut (POACT).

Incumbent Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) — endorsed by former Republican Governor M Jodi Rell, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV), the Connecticut Association of Retired Teachers (ARTC), the National Federation for Independent Business (NFIB), Connecticut Realtors (CAR), and the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA).

Connecticut 28th District Senate hopeful Michelle Lapine McCabe — endorsed by the Connecticut Chapter of the Sierra Club, the NARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League) Pro-Choice Connecticut PAC, and the Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund.