Ouch. Bhargava Raises Corruption at Baseball Stadium in Bid to Provoke Wooden to Debate.

Dita Bhargava’s frustration is showing. The Greenwich Democrat has not been able to get party-endorsed rival for state treasurer to participate in a debate. On Tuesday the former financial manager launched a mocking open letter to the Hartford Democrat. It is the sort of tactic that may not cause Wooden to debate Bhargava but it will provide plenty of material for the Republican nominee should Wooden advance to the autumn contest as the party’s nominee. The reference to Wooden’s role as header of Hartford’s city council when the Dunkin’ Donuts stadium was conceived, unveiled and begun ought to cause some muttering about the tone the campaign may take in its concluding five weeks.

Bhargave makes the now-obligatory reference to summer primary star and New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She defeated party stalwart U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley in their June contest. Connecticut voters may be reluctant to elect as state treasurer a candidate giving a nod to socialism.

See the Bhargava piece below.

Debate avoiders may want to recall Dannel Malloy’s devastating 2010 commercial criticizing Ned Lamont for ducking debates with the surly Stamford brawler in their primary fight. Malloy scored a thumping come-from-behind win that August.

Dita to Shawn: What are you so afraid of?

(FAIRFIELD, CT) – Dita Bhargava, Democrat candidate running for State Treasurer, wrote the following letter to her opponent Shawn Wooden as he continues to dodge debates:

Dear Shawn,

When we both came out of the convention with enough support to run for the Democratic nomination for Treasurer, I hoped that we’d take part in a campaign that put my best ideas against yours. That way primary voters could make an informed decision when they go to the polls on August 14th.

After weeks of trying to get you to engage, I have to say that I’m really puzzled by why you won’t debate me.

Let’s be clear: the candidate forum scheduled in Hartford at the end of July is not a debate. We’ve done dozens of these forums to date and so far no one – excluding you – has confused them with a debate.

What does it say about your campaign and how you would run the Treasurer’s office when you won’t leave your hometown and have a discussion with actual voters? What are you so afraid of?

Is it that you may be asked about your time as President of the Hartford City Council – during which our capital city declined into near bankruptcy?

Is it that under your supervision, the Hartford Yard Goat Stadium project was riddled with corruption and mismanagement?

Over the last several weeks, your sense of entitlement has become increasingly concerning.

When I revealed the fact that you attempted to push me out of the race, you said that I was either “mistaken or lying.” It is impertinent and an insult to call a woman ignorant or a liar when she speaks the truth.

Most importantly, voters deserve to be engaged and hear from candidates. We don’t have to look far to see the energy around candidates who make the effort to speak to voters, even when those candidates are new to the political process. Look no further than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

There is still time to honor the democratic process and give voters the opportunity to hear a vigorous debate on issues that concern them the most. We’ve reached out to other organizations and we’re going to do our best to make sure these events happen. If I have not heard back from you by the time these events are scheduled, we’ll gladly set up an empty chair to honor your decision. The chair will say about as much as you’ve said regarding how you would conduct yourself in office.

Sincerely,

Dita Bhargava