Anderson drops primary challenge against DeLauro

New Haven Register (CT)

April 19--NEW HAVEN -- Bryan Anderson is dropping his challenge to U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the 14-term congresswoman from the 3rd District.

Currently a four-term Milford alderman, and also a former alderman from New Haven, Anderson announced in September that he was running for the seat, much to the chagrin of state Democratic Party Chairman Nick Balletto.

It was the first primary challenge to DeLauro since 2001.

"I think it is great," Balletto said of Anderson's decision to suspend his campaign.

He called DeLauro "one of the most progressive and aggressive" members of Congress, who fights for her constituents on a daily basis. Balletto said he saw little upside in challenging DeLauro and would rather have had Anderson look to fill a vacant elective office elsewhere.

In a statement, DeLauro said, "It is a great honor for me to serve the constituents of the 3rd Congressional District. As I have said before, I take any political challenge as an incentive to work harder and help make a difference in people's lives. There is so much at stake this year. I look forward to continuing to fight for working families, for policies that increase wages and create new jobs, and for funding the programs that benefit our most vulnerable citizens."

Anderson's main issues are support of single-payer health insurance, getting U.S. troops out of Afghanistan and other places where America is involved in proxy wars. He has also highlighted the need for more public infrastructure funds.

Anderson said Congress needs to update the Authorization for Use of Military Force that was approved 17 years ago after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, to address military action in Syria, Libya, Yemen and Niger.

He said his decision to run was to open up the election process and the Democratic Party "to new ideas and participants."

"The times call for more of us who recognize the challenges as they exist to seize the opportunity and be willing to stand for change," Anderson said in a release.

He also called on state Attorney General Jepsen to lead an effort to sue those states that refuse to adopt Health Care Exchanges or have refused Medicaid coverage for residents.

"As a country, we need to address the hypocrisy of a Congress that votes for tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, while adding to the deficit, and yet seeks to approve a Balanced Budget Constitutional amendment. They sell the American public short," he wrote.

He said Democrats need to work for a "blue tsunami" in November now that House Speaker Paul Ryan plans to retire.

Anderson, 62, has been a special education teacher in the Bronx for the past 15 years.

He has held myriad jobs, including working for the state Senate; housing director in New Haven; staff member at the Elm Haven Resident Council in New Haven. He also sold real estate with Prudential Realty and at one point was the the economic development director in Hamden.

mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com; 203-641-2577

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