Republican Reddy highlights Flexer connection to top Eversource lobbyist, former DTC chair.

State Senator Mae Flexer is facing a late surge by Republican challenger Chris Reddy over the Democrat’s ties to Eversource lobbyist and veteran political operative Leslie O’Brien. Flexer is not accustom to being the target of an effective direct hit in her many campaigns.

O’Brien is a veteran at throwing punches but may not be as skilled at taking one. Reddy’s campaign uploaded a website that claimed to have news: Mae Flexer’s relationship with Influential Eversource Lobbyist Uncovered. The one-page site ties Flexer to O’Brien, Eversource’s new Director of Legislative Affairs. O’Brien also served as chair of the Windham Democratic Town Committee through last year’s municipal elections. Windham is a key town in Flexer’s 29th Senate District. O’Brien resigned from the DTC in August. Head of government relations for Eversource comes with the state’s largest lobbying budget, a type of influence that outranks all but a handful of party committee chairs.

A Reddy campaign mailer on the explosive topic of Eversource bills and Flexer’s close ties to the company is expected to reach voters this week, nearly two weeks after early voting began. Before she became a legislator, Flexer worked for O’Brien in the Senate Democrats Office. It was there that O’Brien earned her ferocious reputation, not reluctant to humiliate senators in public encounters. Some still in office are unlikely to have forgotten the ordeals of those harrowing times when many elected officials mattered not at all but remained silent for too long.

Flexer has long harbored ambitions to rise within the crowded Senate Democratic caucus but remains one of its most unpopular members. Current and former colleagues will be quietly delighted that Flexer is ending this year’s campaign with some wobbly moments. O’Brien is said to be puce with fury.

Futile threats have been directed at the Reddy campaign, which is holding its nerve and ready to double down.

This post was updated on 10/30 to reflect O’Brien’s resignations from local party positions.

Published October 30, 2024.