By TAYLOR HARTZ
STAFF WRITER
The two leading Democrats in this year’s presidential race visited Connecticut this week, just in time for the primary elections this past Tuesday.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D) hosted a panel discussion at the Wilson-Gray YMCA on Albany Avenue in Hartford on the morning of April 12, where she spoke about her platform for comprehensive gun violence reform.
The U.S. Senator for the state of Vermont Bernie Sanders (D) followed suit over the weekend, hosting two rallies. Sanders delivered two speeches, on Sunday evening in New Haven and on Monday morning in Hartford.
Clinton joined family members of gun violence victims, including Erica Smeigelski and Nelba Marquez-Greene, who both lost loved ones in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Conn., on Dec. 14, 2012.
Roughly 300 supporters came to hear Clinton’s discussion, where she compared state level legislation in Connecticut to her plans for national reform.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy (D-Connecticut) and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin (D) spoke at the discussion after concerns were raised by Marquez-Greene about budget cuts to social services in the state.
“I know how hard it was to do what Connecticut’s governor and legislature did after Sandy Hook.”, said Clinton, who said she will be advocating for comprehensive gun reform and closing gun purchasing loopholes.
“What happened here in Connecticut really needs to be a model”, said Clinton “That’s what we have to do in Washington and nationally.”
Former Bristol resident Steve Majerus-Collins, attended the rally with his wife and son. Majerus-Collins said Clinton “showed her readiness to take on the NRA” and her plans “to take steps to reduce America’s gun mayhem.”
Majerus-Collins said that he will support Clinton in this election, because he has “No trouble backing a wise and experienced candidate with a proven record.”
Drawing large crowds to rallies in New Haven and Hartford, Sanders spoke about education, urban poverty, and criminal justice.
Bristol resident Christy Matthews (D), who is running for state representative for the 77th district, attended both rallies to support Sanders.
Matthews said she views Sanders as “the only candidate who acknowledges the special needs and issues” of minority populations.
“It was so empowering,” said Matthews, who said she will vote for Sanders in this week’s primary, “I’ll always be supporting the progressives around the nation.”
Both Clinton and Sanders joined Rocky De La Fuenta on the Democratic ballot for the Connecticut primaries on April 26.
Comments? Email thartz@SouthingtonObserver.com.
Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton speaks in Hartford.