Vote 2024: Meet the two Republicans aiming to take on Sen. Chris Murphy

Republicans across the state are choosing between two candidates to take on Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy – Beacon First Selectman Gerry Smith and businessman Matthew Corey, who unsuccessfully challenged Murphy as the GOP nominee in 2018.

ON THE ISSUES

Both men have similar views. They back Donald Trump, but said they won’t support a national abortion ban, even if fellow Republicans bring a bill to the floor – preferring to leave the issue to individual states.

Both also unequivocally back Israel’s war in Gaza.

“Listen, we need to support Israel 100%,” Corey said. “Chris Murphy is an Iranian appeaser.”

Their support comes despite mounting civilian casualties among Palestinians.

“I think a lot of that has to do with the way the media portrays it,” Smith said. “I think Israel does everything that they can to not have civilian casualties.”

Both Republicans also believe Democrats have failed Connecticut’s inner cities. News 12 recently followed Corey, who owns a window washing business, as he campaigned in Bridgeport, where Republicans are outnumbered 10-1.

“I have young kids come up to me and ask for jobs every single day, whether I’m in Bridgeport or Hartford or Waterbury, New Haven,” he said. “There’s desperation for work.”

“BURNING CROSSES”

Smith is the Republican Party’s endorsed candidate. But days after getting the nod, he faced controversy.

In August, Smith’s campaign put out an email claiming, “They're burning crosses in my front yard. That’s what Joe Biden and Democrats do when they find out that I am a Black Republican.”

Smith said that a fundraiser hired by his former campaign manager sent the letter without his knowledge. Smith fired both staffers.

“No, there’s never been a cross burned in my yard. I never condoned anything like that,” he said. “My campaign manager agreed to let them have full run, and we weren’t going to have any say in what they printed.”

Smith believes his track record of working across the aisle in Beacon Falls will appeal to unaffiliated voters in a general election, but Corey said only he has forcefully challenged Murphy on kitchen-table issues like inflation.

“It’s expensive today,” he said.

The winner will go on to face Murphy in the November general election. Early Voting runs until Sunday, Aug. 11. Voters can also cast a ballot, including absentee ballots, on Primary Day, which is Tuesday, Aug. 13.

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