Morris fires back after GOP urban affairs director says Dems are ‘taking blacks for granted’

HARTFORD, Conn. – It didn’t take long for Norwalk state Rep. Bruce Morris (D-140), the newly named chairman of the General Assembly’s Black and Latino Caucus, to take on the Republican Party.

Morris responded to a statement made by the GOP’s new director of urban affairs, Avery Gaddis, in a New Britain Herald story that was posted online Jan.10. In explaining why he took the newly created position, Gaddis, who is black, said, “It’s about Democrats taking blacks for granted,” he said. “No one talks about that or about Democratic programs that don’t work.”

“While we certainly welcome Mr. Gaddis’ interest, the GOP’s interest … we would welcome it if we would find they are likely going to be in line with the interests of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus looking forward,” Morris said.

“It’s disheartening that he would take a swipe at the Democratic Party,” Morris continued, “and, in particular, after the great efforts that were put in place, after we reflect upon the message that was given on opening day about the bipartisan relationship between Democrats and Republicans in order to work for the good of the state of Connecticut.”

Gaddis, of Waterbury, earned an MBA in finance from the University of New Haven and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Central Connecticut State. He had been working in the financial industry as a loan officer.

According to the New Britain Herald story, “At Central, I was student government president and a big union guy,” Gaddis said. “Later, I became a small business owner started paying taxes. I began paying more attention to money going out. Democrats always seemed to be in my pockets. I don’t mind paying my fair share, but wondered if the money was helping the situation.”

Morris accused Gaddis of being “out of touch.”

“There are certain things that will always remain our priorities. There’s juvenile justice reform, and quite frankly there’s a number of Senate GOP members in line with us helping us to make that happen. It happened in a bipartisan manor. Education reform happened that way. I think Mr. Gaddis is somehow misinformed and we need to clarify that the Democrats and the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, we welcome anyone who understands that the urban situation is important to me for the overall economic viability of the state of Connecticut.”

Connecticut News Junkie editor Christine Stuart contributed to this report.