FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Contact: [email protected]
WASHINGTON D.C. — After Stephanie Thomas secured the Democratic nomination and Dominic Rapini clinched the Republican nomination for Connecticut Secretary of State, Semedrian Smith, deputy executive director of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State (DASS), issued the following statement:
“Stephanie Thomas is a leader who we can trust to protect our right to vote. As a state representative, she made voting rights a top priority. Stephanie fought for automatic voter registration and expanded early voting, while passionately advocating for civic engagement. And throughout her career, she has worked to help poor, homeless, and disadvantaged students.
“For Stephanie, voting rights is more than a commitment – it’s a cause. Her father was a Vietnam veteran raised in 1940s Georgia who couldn’t read. Her mother worked two jobs, but didn’t drive. So when Republicans try to pass laws that make it harder to vote, Stephanie knows exactly who they are trying to stop – families like hers.
“As Connecticut’s next Secretary of State, she will be the first Black woman to hold the office, where she will continue to educate voters on how to register and cast their ballots. Stephanie will work to make sure that voting is more accessible because she has the backbone to stand up to those who would take away that sacred right. Democracy is on the ballot this election cycle, and Connecticut voters can be sure that Stephanie Thomas will protect ours.
“Dominic Rapini, meanwhile, is openly hostile towards democracy. He’s a member of ‘Donald Trump’s hand picked MAGA candidates’ – who parrot the lies about the 2020 election and seek to seize election offices so they pick and choose who wins future races. While Rapini might be campaigning on a platform of election lies and conspiracies, Connecticut should take him seriously. He’s a grave threat to our democracy and will make it harder for voters to cast their ballots.”