Hayes speaks with Murphy, decides to go to primary in 5th District

It reassured political newcomer Jahana Hayes to hear from U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy that connecting with voters and carrying their concerns to Washington, D.C., was more important than federal lawmaking experience.

But what moved Hayes to challenge Democratic nominee Mary Glassman for Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District was the disappointment Hayes saw on the faces of her supporters the night she lost the party endorsement.

“I just didn’t want them to see what happened and walk out of there saying ‘That’s why I don’t vote.’” Hayes said on Thursday.

Hayes was referring to the climactic moment on Monday night in the auditorium of Waterbury’s Crosby High School, after the 340 Democratic delegates of the Fifth District voted to nominate Hayes, the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, over Glassman, the former First Selectman of Simsbury.

The vote was 171 for Hayes and 169 for Glassman - just enough to give Hayes the required 50 percent for the nomination. Then three delegates changed their votes, giving Glassman the edge and the Democratic nomination.

“That was the only thing about Monday that made me concerned,” Hayes said Thursday after announcing her decision to appear on the Aug. 14 primary ballot.

Hayes wasn’t the only one concerned. Scot X Esdaile, president of the Connecticut NAACP, said that he wants a probe of the nominating process, state Democratic party officials said. Such a probe would involve a dispute resolution committee — three-to-five members of the party, who reside outside the 5th District — that would hear a complaint and suggest a remedy.

“We welcome this probe,” said Nick Balletto, state party chairman. “If something went wrong in balloting process, we would like to know and want any issues dealt with quickly and appropriately. We encourage anyone involved to ask for a Dispute Resolution Committee so it can be dealt with immediately.”

Otherwise, Hayes said, she was encouraged by what happened Monday as Democrats gathered to elect a replacement for U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty.

“After weighing this decision very seriously and consulting my family and many of my fiercest supporters, I do believe that there is no denying that what happened Monday was nothing short of amazing and that my candidacy has ignited a desire for change,” Hayes said. “My campaign is about everyday people and the power that we have to make a difference in our communities and be better, together."

Hayes took Tuesday and Wednesday to weigh the costs of a primary, calling Murphy, a Democrat, who encouraged her to run two weeks ago.

Hayes wanted to be sure that she would not be in over her head among veteran lawmakers, she said. Murphy assured her that the most important part about serving constituents is understanding their concerns, and taking those concerns to Congress.

“I was asking him questions that reaffirmed for me that I could do this,” Hayes said. “My greatest asset is that I am not a political insider.”

It was not immediately clear on Thursday how successful Hayes’ $10,000-in-a-day Instagram fundraising challenge was, except that she needs all the cash she can raise.

Glassman has a big lead, having raised $150,000 since entering the race in early April.