Union boss resigns over ad claim that home-invasion survivor, like Trump, attacks women

Dr. William Petit, the lone survivor of the 2007 Cheshire home invasion, is the target of a political ad comparing him to Donald Trump. Dr. William Petit, the lone survivor of the 2007 Cheshire home invasion, is the target of a political ad comparing him to Donald Trump. Photo: Autumn Driscoll / Hearst Connecticut Media File Photo Buy photo Photo: Autumn Driscoll / Hearst Connecticut Media File Photo Image 1 of / 21 Caption Close Union boss resigns over ad claim that home-invasion survivor, like Trump, attacks women 1 / 21 Back to Gallery

The beleaguered head of the state’s largest union stepped down Thursday for signing off on a political ad claiming the lone survivor of the 2007 Cheshire home invasion had mounted an “attack on women and families.”

Paul Filson resigned as executive director of the 55,000-member Service Employees International Union Connecticut State Council following a meeting of the group’s leadership, Hearst Connecticut Media has learned.

The union also fired the consultants responsible for the online ad, which showed a photo of a gesticulating Trump with the message, “Stop Donald Trump and Republican William Petit’s attack on women and families. Vote on 11/8.”

The union identified the consultant as DKC, a media strategy and public relations firm with offices in New York City.

The house-cleaning came as the union looked to blunt criticism from Republicans and Democrats over the ad comparing the victims’ advocate turned legislative candidate to Trump. Petit’s wife and daughters were sexually assaulted and murdered in the home invasion, which garnered national attention for its heinous nature.

“We offer our sincere apology to Dr. Petit and feel strongly this ad should have never run in his district under any circumstances,” the union said in a statement. “It is extremely regrettable that such poor judgment was exhibited by those tasked with running the independent expenditure and we have taken action to remove those responsible from the campaign.”

Comparison backfires

Petit, who is running for the state House in Plainville and part of New Britain, lamented the episode.

“I certainly never like to see anyone lose their job, but it’s good to know that someone has taken responsibility for this and that an apology has been offered for what was clearly libel,” Petit told Hearst Thursday. “Unfortunately, it’s part of a greater systemic problem in national and state politics where people feel they need and must do anything to win at all costs.”

From coast to coast this year, Republicans have faced a litmus test on their allegiances to Trump, whose gender gap problem worsened with this month’s release of a 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape of him bragging about groping women.

But the choice of Petit as a Trump facsimile backfired on the union, which used the same ad against 12 other GOP legislative candidates. The endocrinologist is well known for his charity work through his family foundation, which helps victims of violence. He also is a board member of Men Make A Difference, Men Against Domestic Violence, an awareness campaign started by Interval House, a domestic violence shelter in Hartford.

A request for comment was left for Filson at his West Hartford home, as well as at DKC’s New York office. Filson was with SEIU for about 15 years.

The ad appeared on the website of the Hartford Courant from Oct. 17-25. Campaign filings show it was part of a $2,112 online ad buy of Labor United for Connecticut, a political action committee set up by SEUI.

Bipartisan criticism

Filson initially stood by the message Wednesday, but acknowledged it could have been handled better. He said that Republicans have been obstructionists on raising the minimum wage, passing paid sick leave and other legislation critical to women and families.

Sources close to the situation told Hearst that Filson faced intense pressure within the ranks of union leaders, who said the ad was completely out of character with the values of SEIU. Both Democrats and other labor groups denounced the ad, which Petit’s fellow Republicans characterized as tone deaf.

“Nobody wants to get anybody fired, but what happened with this ad is despicable,” House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, the GOP’s top female office holder in the state, said Thursday. “Of all things, they’re saying that he doesn’t support women and families, this man who’s committed his whole life to women and families and lost his family.”

Petit, who is remarried and has a 2-year-old son, has not endorsed Trump, and termed his vote for president as a private matter.

“We really should be focused on the issues and trying to work together,” Petit said. “In the end run, we’re all on the same team. We’re all trying to make Connecticut a better place to live.”

neil.vigdor@scni.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy