Connecticut Democrats, Republicans clash over George Logan’s hometown and alleged racism

For months, Democrats have been complaining that Republican candidate George Logan does not live in the 5th Congressional district.

But the clash reached a new level this week with charges of racism as Logan said that a Democratic Party tweet had compared him to Curious George, a cartoon monkey in children’s books and television shows. At issue is whether the tweet mirrors the “This is George” format of the books, written by H.A. and Margaret Ray in the 1940s, or the “Be like Bill” memes that frequent social media.

“For a party that claims to be open and inclusive, this sort of tweet, which was also retweeted by my opponent Jahana Hayes, certainly comes off as racially motivated,” Logan said Friday. “However, this isn’t the first time Democrats and Jahana Hayes have made racially charged comments or statements in regards to my candidacy.

“While Americans are experiencing surging inflation, the highest gas prices in our nation’s history, increase in crime in our communities, and a crisis at our southern border, Democrats would rather play the race card than talk about or solve our issues. I won’t be deterred from addressing the real issues that are negatively impacting the residents of the 5th District.”

The dust-up started with a tweet from Connecticut Democrats that showed a picture of Logan as he stood in front of a yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” Gadsden flag. He has a finger on his lip, looking curious.

“This is George,” the tweet says. “George doesn’t live in the 5th District but wants to represent it in Congress. George’s uncle lives in the 5th District. George says he’s moved into his uncle’s house. But has he?”

The tweet closes by saying, “Just run where you live, George. Deceiving voters is no way to start a campaign.’'

Ever since Logan made his announcement in July 2021, his residency has been an issue. He lived for the past 20 years in Ansonia, which is in the 3rd Congressional District. He repeatedly said he intended to move to the 5th District but needed to wait until after the official district lines were drawn that are based on the U.S. Census that is conducted every 10 years.

The campaign says he is now living in Meriden, which is in the 5th District.

This year’s campaign is historic because it is the first time in Connecticut that two Black candidates are facing off for a Congressional seat. Hayes is the first Black woman to represent the district, which stretches from New Britain to Danbury to Salisbury.

The tweet captured attention because the Democratic twitter account has more than 44,000 followers.

“Connecticut Democrats, using a popular meme featuring Dick and Jane and stick figures, called out George Logan for not living in the 5th Congressional District where he is seeking office,” state party chairwoman Nancy DiNardo said. “The Connecticut Republicans have no opinion about actual racism in their ranks, about demanding that schools stop teaching the history of slavery, about the murderous violence incited by the persistent discussion of replacement theory. But they are finding racism where none is intended or expressed.

“George Logan still does not live in the 5th District.”

But Logan’s spokesman, Paul Amarone, says the candidate and his wife, Lisa, are renting a home in Meriden that is owned by his uncle, who lives in Florida. Logan is now registered to vote in Meriden.

The Democratic tweet, which was posted Wednesday, was taken down at about 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Before that, Amarone had said, “We don’t expect them to take it down.’'

In a separate tweet, Connecticut Democrats said, “We did *not* make any comparison to Curious George. However, our post has been misrepresented and is causing offense. For that, we’re sorry. It’s deleted.’'

Some Democrats were outraged, including Simsbury attorney Melissa Osborne, who is running for the state legislature to fill the seat being vacated by state Rep. John Hampton, who is not seeking re-election after five terms.

“It was dumb, even childish, and easily construed as offensive,’' Osborne tweeted. “It shouldn’t have happened & I’ve reached @ctdems officials to let them know how I feel.’'

Sen. Gary Winfield, a New Haven Democrat who has spoken about racial issues and serves as co-chairman of the legislature’s judiciary committee, tweeted, “This is absolutely unacceptable! Doesn’t matter which party did it. The historical context makes this nothing less than vile. Period. The deflecting in the press release to what the Republicans do and don’t do in their ranks only makes it worse.”

Hayes issued a detailed statement Friday in which she said she did not see the tweet as racist.

“I read the tweet as saying this person wants to run in the 5th district, yet has no interest in moving here and is instead using the address of a relative,” Hayes said. “The tweet itself used a cadence popular in millennial posts: e.g. this is Jane — don’t be like Jane. The point of my retweet was to stress that I have lived, worked, raised my family, served, worshipped and been deeply rooted in the 5th district my entire life.

“I did not see a racial overtone and was surprised when it was framed that way. The implication that I, as a Black person, would encourage a racist tweet is absurd. I find it hard to believe that anyone, acting in good faith, could interpret my re-tweet as stoking racial animus against another African American. That does not benefit me, my campaign or this district in any way. I do not participate in that kind of behavior and never have.

“I do however, understand perception, and if he was offended, that is good enough for me and I apologize.”

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com.