As leaders across the world and nation reacted Wednesday to the decisive election of Donald Trump as president and questioned whether it’s as destabilizing many American allies fear, Connecticut leaders also spoke out.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, a Democrat, tried to reassure his city residents as he said, “While New Haveners made a different choice, Donald Trump is now our president-elect.
“These results are disappointing, and I believe a true setback for our country on its long and winding road towards a more perfect union. However, just like when Donald Trump was president before, we will once again come together as a city to stand up for what is right and just,” he said in a statement early Wednesday.
“We will be a place of inclusion and belonging for all,” he said. “We will protect the rights and freedoms of our residents. We will make decisions based on data and science. We will extend compassion to those in need and support the most vulnerable among us. We will advance our shared values of creating a more equitable and just society for all.
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, D-Conn. was reelected Tuesday.
In Connecticut, incumbent U.S. Jahana Hayes, D-5, beat George Logan in tight battle in 5th District; Democrats swept back in other congressional races. U.S. Reps. John Larson, D-1, Rosa DeLauro, D-3, Jim Himes, D-4, and Joe Courtney, D-2, also won reelection Tuesday.
Trump’s first term saw him insult and alienate longstanding American allies. His return to the White House, four years after losing office to President Joe Biden, has huge consequences for everything from global trade to climate change to multiple crises and conflicts around the world.
Elicker also said, “While the task has now gotten harder, we are not going back. We didn’t the first time Donald Trump was president – and we’re not going back this time either.
“We are going forward. We will journey through this together and we will continue to work together to ensure New Haven is a city where all are welcome and where all can thrive.”
The Republican former president won over frustrated voters with bold promises that his fiery brand of America-first economic populism and conservative culture would make their lives better. He will be tested immediately, however, and there are reasons to believe his plans for mass deportations and huge tariffs may hurt the very people who enabled his victory.
Check back for updates. Information from the Associated Press is included in this post.