Hrezi loses a second time in effort to primary incumbent John Larson in CT’s 1st Congressional District
A judge has again ruled against would-be congressional candidate Muad Hrezi’s challenge of the state primary election process, effectively killing the liberal Democrat’s effort to challenge incumbent Congressman John Larson’s 23-year hold on the state’s First District seat.
Superior Court Judge Cesar Noble, in a 50-page decision released Tuesday, rejected Hrezi’s claims that he was illegally denied the opportunity to primary Larson because strict enforcement of ballot access laws during the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with mistakes by election officials, prevented his campaign from collecting the required number of petition signatures.
The court first ruled against Hrezi in June, saying he could have avoided delay in the petitioning process by appearing in person to pick up petition forms rather than waiting for the Secretary of the State’s office to email them to him.
The judge also noted: “In the present case, Herzi was aware of the signature requirement for getting on the ballot, and Hrezi realized before the convention that it was going to be nearly impossible to get enough support at the convention.”
“Despite having time to prepare for the signature collection, which was to commence on April 26, 2022, the campaign did not start recruiting its fellows on Twitter until April 21, 2022 and the campaign did not advertise for paid petitioners on ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and Handshake until April 26, 2022, and the campaign did not advertise for high school volunteers until May 2, 2022,” the judge wrote.
“Even if Hrezi’s testimony were to be accepted, which it is not, that he was told (the Secretary of the State’s office) would email him the petition forms, they were nevertheless available for him to receive,” the judge wrote. “(State election law) does not mandate delivery of the petition forms, only their availability.”
Hrezi also challenged what he called the state’s overly restrictive ballot access laws. The court ruled against him on that question Tuesday.
Hrezi, of East Hartford, called the ruling against him “a blow to democracy.”
“Our democracy’s at a critical juncture,” he said. “We should be fighting to expand ballot access and voter choice, not upholding laws that restrict it.
“These laws hurt us all because they stifle competition and the debate of ideas,” Hrezi said. “I’m committed to shining light on this significant threat to our democracy, as a candidate or otherwise. We’re evaluating our appellate options in light of the court’s decision.”
Hrezi, a former policy adviser to U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., has endorsements from, among others, Sunrise Movement CT, Black Lives Matter 860, and the Free Puerto Rico Initiative.
“I believe in the promise of America. That no matter our creed or color, we should all be treated justly, be able to provide for our families, and be able to give our kids a real shot at a better life,” his campaign website says. “It’s what all Americans want, and it’s why my parents immigrated to the United States.”
Following the court ruling, the Larson campaign said, in a statement, “Once again, the court has firmly ruled against Mr. Hrezi’s ill-founded challenge. This November will be one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime and now is the time for Democrats to join together and stand united.”
“Congressman Larson’s focus remains on lowering the cost of living for struggling Americans, fighting for reproductive rights and bodily autonomy, enhancing and expanding Social Security for our seniors, and, crucially, helping other Democrats get elected across the state and nation,” the campaign statement said.
Hrezi sued after failing to win sufficient support at the state Democratic convention in May to primary Larson, an East Hartford moderate and senior member of the U.S. House. Larson won the party nomination.
