It is not uncommon during election season for one party to outmaneuver the other with clever gamesmanship, but this election season, District 12 Senate candidate Paul Crisci has clearly struck a nerve with his opponent, Christine Cohen, and some Democratic officials. In recent weeks, local newspapers have displayed placed articles that Crisci’s camp states are fair and balanced, offering candid statements and responses to questions surrounding the issues for the 2024 election.

One Democratic town committee and some of its members took exception to the means by which Crisci used to share his message, stating that he used deceptive methods to encourage readers to engage with the article. Crisci responded to the criticism with a simple question: “How is sharing an interview article in a newspaper deceptive?” He continued defending his position, saying, “People share all kinds of information and articles on social media all day long. Why is it deceptive if I have an article placed in a newspaper so that a segment of voters who read newspapers can access it? Do they not believe voters are intelligent enough to make informed decisions, or are they simply looking to stifle the message of an opposing candidate?” Many of Crisci’s opponents and supporters of Christine Cohen took to social media, crying foul immediately after the distribution of the weekly newspaper that readers receive in their mail each Thursday.

One Democratic town committee posted on social media, “Voters Beware! Politicians can get sneaky when they’re not making headlines. Paul Crisci’s campaign for State Senate is a great example, with a full-page ad in the Sound News.” They continued to claim that the article was nothing more than a fancy commercial and punctuated their complaint by stating that Crisci spent a quarter of a million dollars in the last campaign, suggesting they should expect more of this in the coming weeks.

When asked to respond to the allegations, Crisci inquired, “So let me get this straight: the Democratic town committee is warning people that I placed an article in the newspaper so they can read it, and somehow that’s tricky? This same Democratic town committee is cautioning voters that I spent my hard-earned money to fund my last campaign instead of taking taxpayer money to finance my campaign. Very interesting,” Crisci added.

When asked why he found the comments from the Democratic town committee to be interesting, he simply said, “I just find it curious that our state is dealing with several pressing issues that affect our residents’ everyday lives, but instead of challenging me on the issues their focus is on a newspaper article.” Crisci refers to issues such as affordability in Connecticut as well as the alarming increase in crime throughout District 12. “All I have to say is I am trying hard to bring solutions to issues that continue to affect our communities. Respectfully, I don’t have the time for petty nonsense.” Crisci replied.

It wasn’t until Crisci shared the article on social media to offer voters the opportunity to learn more that other Democratic town committees from the district took their frustrations to Facebook. Crisci again defended his position by explaining, “I have invited Senator Christine Cohen to debate me so everyone can hear our positions on the issues, but to this point, she has ignored my request and, more importantly, the requests of many constituents in District 12.”

Crisci continued to remind residents of District 12, “Whether you agree with either of the candidates for District 12 State Senate on the issues or not, that’s okay. What’s not okay is to avoid answering questions about the issues that affect residents, especially when so many of the issues are plaguing so many residents.” Crisci referred to the silence Christine Cohen has maintained when questioned about her position on issues such as the electric bill crisis, her electric vehicle mandate, which demands that only electric vehicles be sold in Connecticut by the year 2035, and the noticeable uptick in crime, which Crisci attributes squarely to Senator Cohen. “Respectfully, Christine Cohen has had six years to introduce legislation and vote on issues that affect everyday residents, but instead, she has chosen to focus her efforts on special-interest projects,” Crisci asserted. “Senator Cohen has championed her environmental policies, in my opinion, reactively.” Crisci referred to Cohen’s stance on Killingworth PFAS contamination, Tweed Airport, and electric vehicles. “It seems to me that Senator Cohen proposes and votes for legislation without fully considering the implications. For example, it is extremely hypocritical for her to say she is against CO2 emissions and then turn her back on the people of East Haven, who have been looking to Senator Cohen for answers regarding environmental concerns surrounding the airport. As Senator Cohen stated previously in a prepared statement, ‘Pollution has no borders.’ Well then,” Crisci asked, “How does Senator Cohen propose to protect the black and brown communities she previously referenced in that statement, in New Haven and West Haven from these deadly toxins if she has no stance on the environmental implications of the airport’s expansion, which clearly affects those towns as well as all other surrounding towns of District 12 and other shoreline communities?” Crisci citing a statement from Cohen regarding the dangers of CO2 emissions with public buses in the New Haven and West Haven communities mentioned above.

Crisci added, “And now Senator Cohen has become the co-chair of the Transportation Committee, where she is being questioned about her record concerning the increased death rate due to high-speed car accidents and wrong-way collisions plaguing our streets and highways.” Crisci voiced, “Senator Cohen, as an elected official, votes in Hartford have consequences.” Crisci continued, “Since Senator Cohen voted for the police accountability bill and the juvenile justice bill, there has been a significant uptick in driving under the influence—not only of alcohol but also of marijuana.”

Crisci vowed, “If elected as your senator, I will not abandon the environmental issues that most people agree are important and need to be addressed. The only difference is I will make sure I am also focusing my attention on the everyday issues of all the residents of District 12, such as crime, energy costs, parental rights, and affordability.”

When revisiting the concerns surrounding the delivery of his campaign messaging, Crisci simply stated, “I truly hope the residents of District 12 take the time to educate themselves about both me and Senator Cohen instead of listening to conspiracy nonsense. Voters need to decide who is best for the job without worrying about how a few articles were distributed.” Crisci continued, “I know that as a state and a country, we have fallen victim to identity politics, turning against one another based on party lines. All I can say is that I am interviewing for a job as District 12’s state senator as a person, not a party member, and I ask that people take the time to sincerely and intelligently base their decision on the qualifications and proposed ideas I am vowing to champion on your behalf.”

Crisci closed by saying, “As voters, we all need to remember that elections are not a popularity contest. It is serious business that needs the attention of elected officials who address the needs and concerns of all the residents, not just a few.” Crisci continued, “When I decided to run for office, it was not for power, ego, or some special interest. It was because I believe in giving back, not just with money, but with time and experience.” Crisci added, “That may sound corny to some, but it’s who I am, and it’s why I want to serve. If I didn’t think I could help improve our already amazing state with my experience and abilities, I would not waste the time of the residents of District 12.”