Congressman Jim Himes’ response to President Trump’s speech last night on “The Last Word” on MSNBC on election integrity—and his preemptive New York Times op-ed—amounts to fearmongering and political hyperbole.
The American public should not be pressured into drawing conclusions before seeing the evidence. I believe in our legal and investigative processes, and I will wait to review the investigation and documentation that President Trump has said will be presented to the American people.
Transparency should not frighten anyone. The facts should be released, examined, and evaluated through the proper process.
CNN’s own polling analysis found that 83% of Americans support requiring photo identification to vote, including strong majorities of Democrats, Black voters, and Latino voters.
Election integrity is not something Americans fear—it is something they overwhelmingly support.
Congressman Himes needs to look no farther than Bridgeport, one of his strongest voting bases, and the scandal involving “Wanda the Ballot Stuffer.”
Election misconduct is not an abstract concern. It has occurred in his own congressional district and has brought national embarrassment to Connecticut.
Before pointing fingers at President Trump, Congressman Himes should explain why he opposes stronger safeguards, including the SAVE Act and commonsense voter identification for federal elections.
As Connecticut voters know, a person who does not present accepted identification at the polls may generally sign a sworn statement affirming their identity. If state officials insist that stronger verification cannot be applied to every election, then Connecticut should consider using separate federal and state ballots.
Federal ballots could follow enhanced identification and citizenship-verification standards, while state ballots could continue under Connecticut’s existing rules. That would allow officials and the public to compare the two systems, review any discrepancies, and determine which safeguards produce the greatest confidence and transparency.
Perhaps Congressman Himes’s reaction is an invitation for President Trump to finally focus national attention on Connecticut by making the Fourth Congressional District a pilot program for election integrity.
In the meantime, voters must come out in record numbers for the August 11 federal primary and again this November.
The answer to fearmongering is not fear. It is transparency, due process, voter participation, and elections that are free, fair, secure, and worthy of the public’s trust.
Remember to Vote in the Republican Primary August 11th with Early Voting August 3-9 -
Paid for by Goldstein for Congress
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