
Contributed Photo
State House candidate Kara Rochelle.
Former President Barack Obama endorsed fellow Democrats Kara Rochelle and Jorge Cabrera Monday.
“Today, I’m proud to endorse even more Democratic candidates who aren’t just running against something, but for something — to expand opportunity for all of us and to restore dignity, honor, and compassion to public service. They deserve your vote,” Obama said. See the embedded Tweet below.
Rochelle is running to represent parts of Ansonia and Derby in the 104th state House district. She is running for the seat held by Democrat Linda Gentile, who opted not to seek re-election.
Joseph Jaumann, an Ansonia Alderman, is her Republican opponent.
Cabrera is trying to unseat Ansonia Republican George Logan in the state Senate. This is Logan’s first re-election attempt after unseating Democrat Joseph Crisco.
“I am deeply honored to receive President Obama’s endorsement, and frankly it is a bit surreal to have him take notice of a legislative race in our Valley,” Rochelle said in a prepared statement. “We often feel forgotten down here and this shows that with the right advocacy, people will pay attention and focus on what we need in our community.”
Former President Obama’s Tweet is below:
Today, I’m proud to endorse even more Democratic candidates who aren’t just running against something, but for something — to expand opportunity for all of us and to restore dignity, honor, and compassion to public service. They deserve your vote: pic.twitter.com/NO5jnhX3XD
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 1, 2018
“In spite of today’s divisive political climate, President Obama continues to deliver a positive message of hope and change, one that has spoken to me and so many others. We are at our best when we stand together and work to better our communities,” Cabrera said in a Facebook post.
Rochelle’s endorsement by Obama was announced through the national Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC). Rochelle is one of only a handful of Connecticut House candidates backed by the former president, who is also a former state legislator.
“We are excited to join forces with President Obama to highlight the amazing men and women like Kara Rochelle running in must-watch races for their state legislatures,” DLCC Executive Director Jessica Post said. “We stand united and will do everything we can to elect candidates like Kara who will stand up for democratic values and work to move our nation forward.”
Rochelle said if elected she will be an advocate for the middle class, good-paying jobs, affordable health care and “proper education funding.”
Click here for a Valley Indy podcast interview with Rochelle, who lives in Derby.
Her campaign noted she has also received endorsements from Gentile, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut’s Working Families Party and the Connecticut AFL-CIO.