August 2, 2022

MEMO: Momentum Grows as Levy Heads Toward Victory on August 9 

FROM: Christopher Velazco, Campaign Manager for Leora Levy for U.S. Senate 

Friends, we are just one week away from the August 9 primary and momentum is definitely on our side! Over the last few weeks, Leora has received endorsement after endorsement from true America First patriots, earned national attention on the issues that matter most to voters, dominated her opponents in a debate, won the most recent straw poll in the field, and has the backing of our state’s most conservative groups including the CT Republican Assembly, Connecticut Citizens Defense League (CCDL), Parent’s Choice, Take Back Connecticut, and the National Republican Hispanic Assembly. 

Leora is well on her way to victory on August 9. Just take a look at her momentum over the last few weeks.

The Status Quo Doesn’t Work for Connecticut

Running for federal office for the first time Leora has closed the gap for name ID with Klarides. After a failed twenty-two-year career of living off the taxpayers and voting with Democrats, Klarides’ name recognition and Leora’s are equal with all voters. 

Leora is winning this race on the ground because Connecticut voters are ready for change. Thompson RTC just endorsed Leora’s candidacy last week, as have New Fairfield, Greenwich, Bridgeport and many other towns. Leora won the Coventry straw poll in a landslide with 68% of the vote on July 28 and the CTRAMM straw poll with 63% of the vote over the weekend. CTRAMM represents over 11,000 CT voters.

Last night in New Haven, Parent’s Choice and Take Back Connecticut endorsed Leora, representing more than 5,000 Republicans voters who have pledged their support to help Leora fight against the establishment. 

Klarides is Running Scared After Losing the Debate and Hiding Behind Felon-Funded Fiction

After Leora won the only televised debate ahead of the August 9 primary, Klarides backed out of participating in a Fox 61 candidates forum as well as the Coventry RTC forum at the last minute. During that debate, Klarides was exposed as little more than another Blumenthal, just with an R next to her name, and she clearly did not have the stomach to face the reality of her record again. 

The truth is both Connecticut and our nation’s leading conservative voices know Klarides cannot be trusted to serve as a reliable, 51st Republican vote in the Senate. Voters know that continuing to elect out-of-touch insiders will never do anything to resolve the serious problems our country faces because those are the same people who put us in this situation. Klarides’ record says it all: 

• Voted for an automatic annual increase the diesel tax in Connecticut, resulting in a 23% tax increase on July 1, 2022 
• Voted for some of the strictest gun laws in the nation and has said she would have replicated Blumenthal’s vote on the recent gun bill
• Believes the U.S. is systemically racist and tweeted it during the BLM riots in front of the White House in 2020.
• In a televised debate, said she would possibly support a Democratic presidential candidate in 2024 after refusing to vote for President Trump in 2020 
• Her political ads even parrot Democrat talking points! 

Despite Klarides’ desperate attempts to make you believe she’s such a good person, her self-righteousness apparently does not extend to the realm of campaign finance and her felon funded Super PAC running false attack ads against Leora. Maxing out to Klarides official campaign wasn’t enough for William “Billy” Tomasso - a felon convicted in one of the biggest political corruption and bribery scandals in Connecticut history. Klarides’ super PAC also received $50k from Tomasso. Maybe Billy is just a really big fan of strict gun laws or maybe he really hates mean tweets too. Maybe he’s just looking for a break on his electric bill. Who knows what animated Billy’s decision to throw so much cash at Klarides? I would love to know the answer though and would think that a fair, unbiased CT press corps would share that sentiment. I’m sure Klarides and Billy can’t wait to hear from you. 

According to one blog covering the race, “Klarides was in the legislature when the grimy scandal unfurled week after week in the Hartford Courant. She certainly knows who William Tomasso is. She could long ago have publicly denounced Tomasso’s participation in the Super PAC that is boosting her campaign as she seeks to hold off Levy.

“William Tomasso has not only made a hefty contribution to a Super PAC to help Klarides. He’s made three $2,900 contributions directly to her campaign–one for the convention, another for the primary, and a third for the general election–should she make it that far. Three other Tomassos have made the same contributions.” 

Klarides is doing everything she can to try to salvage her failing campaign – even taking money from politically corrupt entrenched Hartford insiders. So much for ethics and transparency. 

Leora is Receiving National Endorsements Across the Country as Conservatives See a Chance to Flip CT Red

Realizing the once in a generation opportunity that exists in Connecticut this cycle, many of America’s leading conservative voices are endorsing Leora for U.S. Senate. It’s clear Klarides should be running in a Democrat primary against Blumenthal, and not as a Republican. 

Speaking about her endorsement of Levy, Senator Marsha Blackburn said, “I am excited to endorse Leora Levy to be Connecticut’s next United States Senator. She is the clear conservative choice to help us fire Democrats this November. After coming to America as a Cuban refugee and living her American dream, Leora has a deep understanding of just how precious freedom is. She is a genuine freedom fighter who will always defend the unborn, fight to stop illegal immigration, stand up for parents’ rights and support our military and veterans. Every family – from Connecticut to Tennessee – is feeling the burden inflicted by Washington Democrats and unless we elect dedicated conservatives like Leora, the chaos we face will only worsen. I am urging all freedom-lovers in Connecticut to support Leora Levy for United States Senate on Tuesday, August 9.” 

At a time when inflation is crushing families’ American Dreams, Linda McMahon, former Administrator of the Small Business Administration under President Trump, endorsed Leora for the U.S. Senate, saying, “Connecticut needs a change and Leora Levy will bring about that change when she makes history in November. Joe Biden and Dick Blumenthal have been an unmitigated disaster and they cannot remain unchecked for another two years. Leora is a dear friend whose story of overcoming tremendous odds to live the American Dream is an inspiration. Leora has the business experience and strong conservative credentials to be an excellent Senator and she will serve the people of Connecticut with distinction. She has my full support.” 

The only true pro-life candidate in the race, SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser said, “Leora Levy deeply understands the importance of protecting and valuing all human life, including the unborn who are our most vulnerable members of society. We are confident that as Connecticut’s next U.S. Senator, Levy will fight hard for the unborn and their mothers, and we are proud to give her our full endorsement.”

Why We are Going to Win This Race & Defeat Blumenthal 

Connecticut is in dire need of significant change, but that is only possible if we present voters with a clear contrast in November. Leora knows Connecticut is worth fighting for and is making her case to voters because now is the time to end the Biden-Blumenthal blight. 

The tide is turning and voters are seeing the truth about Themis Klarides. Her record proves she is little more than Blumenthal 2.0 and will create more pain for Connecticut families and taxpayers. Leora is the true conservative outsider in this race and Connecticut’s families, rank and file law enforcement members, and national leaders are endorsing her in the race to finally to defeat Dick Blumenthal this November. 

Leora’s campaign is growing stronger with each passing day that Connecticut voters are able to hear her America-First message. 2022 is the year that Connecticut joins the ranks of countless other examples where voters have rejected the failed ways of the past and embraced true, genuine change. Leora is that change. Republican primary voters know it, Connecticut will know it on August 10, and the country will know it on November 9. 

Remember to vote for Leora Levy on August 9!