***STATEMENT*** House GOP Leader Candelora responds to Puerto Rican and Latino Caucus condemnation of Rep. Pavalock D'Amato
Sundie, Bryan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
Contact: Bryan Sundie, 860-480-3068
HARTFORD—House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) on Friday released the following statement in response to condemnation of Rep. Cara Pavalock D’Amato (R-Bristol) by the Connecticut Puerto Rican and Latino Caucus:
"Governor Lamont chose to use his speech before the General Assembly to launch a calculated attack on federal law enforcement. Representative Pavalock-D'Amato, in contrast, wore a jacket. It was a quiet, preemptive decision that would have gone largely unnoticed had the Governor not used his address as a premeditated effort to earn political chips with legislative Democrats increasingly dissatisfied with his leadership.
His remarks were intentionally provocative and deeply offensive to the members of the General Assembly who support the brave men and women working to keep our nation and its communities safe. I agree the House Chamber should be a place of accountability, decorum, and mutual respect but it was the Governor who fell short of that standard, choosing provocation and political theater over leadership.
While I appreciate the perspective of Rep. Gonzalez and her caucus colleagues, many Connecticut families view ICE agents as dedicated professionals working to remove dangerous criminals from our streets—individuals engaged in the drug trade, human trafficking, and other violent acts. Those residents have a different perspective than the Governor and Democrats, and they deserve a voice too."
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Bryan Sundie
Communications
House Republican Office
Connecticut General Assembly
Office: 860-240-8475 | Cell: 860-480-3068