Markeshia Ricks Photo
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy kicks off his GOTV blitz at the Courtyard by Marriott on Whalley Ave. …
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy had two goals during a trip to New Haven on the Friday before Election Day: meet business owners and encourage people to get out and vote.
… making sure to connect with potential voters in front of Popeye’s …
… and at Metro PCS.
Murphy braved weather that was intermittently wet and windy Friday morning to do both of those tasks in the Dwight and Fair Haven neighborhoods.
He planned to spend much of the day in the city, where he earned his largest vote total in his first election to the Senate seat in 2012.
“Are you going to vote on Tuesday” Murphy asked a man standing outside of Popeye’s.
“Yep,” the man said.
“That’s Chris Murphy,” another man said when Murphy ducked into Metro PCS to shake hands and pass out flyers.
“That’s me,” Murphy told the man.
“Can I have your autograph?” the man asked.
Murphy puts in a stop at the Whalley Sample Shop …
… and then makes his way to Family Dollar …
That scenario played out over and over as Murphy worked his way down Whalley Avenue telling voters, “I need your help. [Gubernatorial candate] Ned Lamont needs your help. We’ve got to get all the Democrats elected. And we need to send a message to Washington.”
… reminding shoppers to vote on Tuesday and flip the two-sided ballots.
Democrat Lamont certainly needs Murphy’s help with polls showing GOP candidate Bob Stefanowski with a slight lead in the gubernatorial race. Polls show Murphy comfortably ahead of Republican challenger Matthew Corey. (Click here to read about a Corey campaign stop in town this week.)
Whalley Seafood owner Tyquan Ford reminds Murphy that his brother was once his intern.
When Murphy walked up to a woman and man waiting at the bus stop, she looked at him a little skeptically.
“Ned Lamont?” she questioned.
“I’m not Ned Lamont, but I want you to vote for him,” Murphy said.
“Oh, ok, I’m not with that Bob,” the woman said.
Murphy makes connections at Headz Up Barber Shop …
… and gets a sneak peak at Headz Up owner Greg Simpkins’ new shop just a few doors down.
At Stop & Shop, where an announcement was made over the intercom system that he was in the building, he got similar signs of support from people waiting in line at customer service.
Murphy stops by the Whalley Avenue Stop & Shop …
A man who gave his name as George called Murphy over to shake his hand. He told Murphy that he didn’t have any choice but to vote a straight Democrat ticket.
… where voters like George …
“Honestly, we don’t want the country to go back to what the country used to be,” he said. “If we follow the principles of Donald Trump we’re going backward instead of forward. That’s the fear for my grandkids. That’s the fear.”
… and Olivia Kelley greet him with enthusiasm.