Mr. Romano Sends Regrets for Lunch Until State Democrats Comply With Election Subpoena.

State Republican chair J.R. Romano has declined to meet with his Democratic counterpart until the state Democratic party organization complies with a subpoena from the State Election Enforcement Committees’s investigation into its role in financing Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s 2014 re-election campaign. State Democrats are raising noisy objections to the subpoena, which seeks records from Malloy and top lieutenants.

Here’s the exchange between Romano and Democrat Nick Balletto. (Note how they address each other as Chairman, like members of some dreary 20th century politburo. People in politics do crave their titles.)

Balletto to Romano:

Chairman Romano,

I wanted to take this opportunity to reach out to you and  introduce myself and welcome you as a fellow State Party Chair.

Our parties may well have different policies and strategies – but as I said on the night you were elected, I hope that we can develop a relationship as there are times when our parties should collaborate and be in touch. And despite the public statements our respective parties will undoubtedly make, I know how tough our positions are in advocating for our political party.

Therefore, in order to open that dialogue – I wanted to see if we could get together for lunch and build a relationship that we could call upon if ever there was a need. 

Let me know if you might have time in the coming weeks and months as you get settled in this new position. You can reach me here at nballetto@ctdems.org or at (860) ———.

Once again congratulations on your election, and hope to be in touch.

Regards,

Nick Balletto

Romano to Balletto:

Chairman Balletto,

JR Romano