Pictured above: Sean Grace (at right) campaigning door to door with a volunteer on May 6 Photo from Sean Grace for Senate Facebook page

UPDATE: In a Thursday update, the campaign has resumed after local officials assured Sean Grace that the grassroots campaign is welcome in their town. (Read below for the candidate's updated statement) Here is the original post which was published Wednesday:

Woodbridge, CT - The campaign of Sean Grace, a self-described progressive Democrat, has suspended canvassing in Woodbridge as a result of an incident that occurred on Tuesday involving two of the candidate's young volunteers. This message was posted on the Sean Grace for Senate Facebook page on Tuesday.



Today, while my amazing and diverse crew of volunteers was canvassing in Woodbridge, a disturbing incident, with ugly racial undertones, occurred.

Two of my volunteers were questioned by the police. Even after it was clear that they were canvassing for a political campaign, the police officers had a discussion about whether or not these volunteers should be arrested for trespassing. Thankfully, wonderful Woodbridge residents came out of their homes and intervened on the volunteers' behalf. The police continued to observe our volunteers, which made them feel unsafe, and so they decided to leave.

For this reason my campaign is suspending canvassing in Woodbridge until we have had a chance to speak with town officials and get assurances that there will not be a repeat of this unfortunate incident. Caption: "Reaching voters one door at a time in the Valley while wearing a combination of sweat and sunscreen!" Posted on July 1 on Facebook Online reaction to the candidate's message was swift. In answer to one Woodbridge resident's offer to help with the matter, Mr. Grace added "At this point I am hopeful this can be resolved with a discussion." Mr. Grace is running for the Connecticut State Senate District 17 representing Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge. He grew up in Beacon Falls and attended school in Naugatuck. Updated statement by the Grace campaign: