HARTFORD — The fallout from a controversial ad involving Dr. William Petit resulted in the resignation of a state labor union leader.
The Service Employee International Union released a statement announcing Paul Filson submitted his resignation from the position of SEIU Connecticut State Council executive director.
Filson was in charge of the Labor United for Connecticut political action committee, which placed an online ad that showed a picture of GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump with the caption, “Stop Donald Trump and Republican William Petit’s attack on women and families. Vote November 8.”
The PAC received funds from various organizations, including state labor unions.
The SEIU said that besides Filson’s resignation, it has “taken action to remove those responsible from the campaign.”
Here is the full statement:
Because of regulations inherent to independent expenditures we, as an organization, are not permitted to know the content that is distributed on behalf of those political efforts. Campaign finance laws are explicitly clear that there cannot be any coordination between our organization and that of Labor United for Connecticut. Therefore, our organizations were not in a position to vet, approve or even be made aware of the digital ad that ran in Dr. Petit’s district. However, once the ad became public yesterday it was clear it was not reflective of our locals’ or SEIU’s standard and it should have never taken place. We offer our sincere apology to Dr. Petit and feel strongly this ad should have never run in his district under any circumstances. It is extremely regrettable that such poor judgment was exhibited by those tasked with running the independent expenditure and we have taken action to remove those responsible from the campaign. Additionally, SEIU Connecticut State Council accepted Paul Filson’s resignation as Executive Director of the council. This election offers clear differences in the path for Connecticut and our nation and it is our hope these campaigns will be issue based.
“I feel they’re quite malicious and attack my character and reputation and have absolutely no truth,” Petit said about the ad at a press conference Wednesday morning. “I’m appalled that anyone would stoop this low.”
Petit is running for the State House of Representatives as a Republican candidate. Democratic Rep. Betty Boukus, 73, has served the 22nd District covering New Britain and Plainville since 1994.
The Labor United for Connecticut said in an email:
While we sincerely regret if anyone has found it to be personally offensive, the Facebook post in question holds numerous Connecticut Republicans accountable for their support of Donald Trump and his policies, which independent experts have found to be harmful to women and middle class families. The post also links to a website where these dangerous policies are detailed for voters. We stand by these accountability efforts and call on Republican candidates to disown Donald Trump and his damaging policies. That said, the post in this particular district was set to expire today, and it will not be renewed.
The group later said, “We can only imagine the pain that Petit has gone through, and would never target his loss for our political agenda. It is not intended to reference any personal history.”
Boukus said she had nothing to do with the ad. She attended Petit’s press conference and afterward, in a show of solidarity, gave him a hug, denouncing the ad to the media, who was also there.
