CT Politics: Working Families Party snubs Himes

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes mingles with the crowd before delivering his acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention for the 4th Congressional District at Roosevelt School in Bridgeport, Conn. on Monday, May 9, 2016. less U.S. Rep. Jim Himes mingles with the crowd before delivering his acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention for the 4th Congressional District at Roosevelt School in Bridgeport, Conn. on Monday, May 9, ... more Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close CT Politics: Working Families Party snubs Himes 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

For the first time since he was elected to Congress in 2008, Democrat Jim Himes will not get the benefit of having his name appear twice on the ballot this November after failing a minor party’s litmus test on trade and Wall Street regulations.

The Connecticut Working Families Party last week withheld its endorsement of Himes in his race against Republican state Rep. John Shaban in the 4th Congressional District, which includes Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk and Greenwich.

The left wing party wants Himes to reject the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal between the U.S. and 11 other Pacific Rim nations, which it warns will have a devastating impact on jobs and the environment. But the four-term incumbent has been noncommittal.

In contrast, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., led the fight against TPA and received the Working Families Party endorsement.

“He hasn’t come out strong on TPP, which is a fundamental issue for us,” said Carlos Moreno, a Working Families Party spokesman. “With this particular election, we want to make sure our ballot line is expressing our principles in lockstep.”

Himes downplayed the snub, which came about two weeks after he met with the minor party’s leaders during an endorsement session in Fairfield.

“No ill will. No hard feelings,” Himes said. “I’m not angry about it. They’re taking a very, very hard line on trade.”

It’s not easy being green

Disaffected “Bernie bros” and their “Never Trump” brethren might want to take note.

Right now, the only other option on the presidential ballot in Connecticut for those not sold on either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump is Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein.

Stein, who made a Stamford campaign stop in July, qualified last week for the presidential ballot in the state.

The Green Party eclipsed the mark of 7,500 signatures from registered voters for ballot access, the secretary of the state’s office announced. The threshold represents 1 percent of the total votes cast in the 2012 presidential election statewide.

The Libertarian Party is also seeking a spot on the ballot for its nominee, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson. State election officials are still counting those signatures, which had to be submitted by Aug. 10.

For those thinking of writing-in the name of Bernie Sanders or another choice for president, think again. State election law requires write-in candidates for president not only to register by Oct. 25, but to give their consent.

Rivals no more

These two seem to be the least likely pair to have a Dionne Warwick moment — Christopher Shays and Himes.

But, hey, if Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton can forge a friendship, there’s hope for these one-time rivals.

Any negative karma from their 2008 congressional race, won by Himes over the 21-year GOP incumbent Shays, was gone during a recent encounter at CNN’s New York City studios.

Both were guests on the morning show “New Day,” with Shays thrusting himself back into the spotlight with his endorsement of Hillary Clinton. Himes is a top fundraiser for Clinton and was a superdelegate for her at July’s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

“I stick my hand out and he opens his arms,” Himes said. “I gave him a hug. He said, ‘Now you’re hugging me that I endorsed Clinton.’ ”

But this was not their first time running into each other. Shays still uses the House gym from time to time, which former members of Congress have access to for a fee.

Himes suggested to Shays during their CNN reunion that might not be the most appropriate venue for an embrace.

“ ‘We’re not standing in the locker room at the house gym,’ ” Himes quipped.