Following reports that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos plans to propose new campus sexual misconduct rules, Ned Lamont promised that as governor he would fight back against these shameful policy proposals from the Trump administration. DNC Women’s Media Director Elizabeth Renda released the following statement in response:
 

“The choice for Connecticut voters has never been more clear. While Ned Lamont will stand up for Connecticut women and students by pushing back against the Trump administration’s shameful campus sexual assault policies, his opponent, Bob Stefanowski, has proven time and again that he will fail to take a stand for Connecticut values, especially if it means crossing Donald Trump.

“DeVos’s proposed rules, which would ‘bolster the rights of students accused of assault, harassment or rape’ and ‘lessen liability for institutions of higher education,’ are a disgrace. In response to the disturbing proposals, Lamont has promised to sign an executive order and introduce legislation that maintains and expands protections for Connecticut students against sexual violence and misconduct on college campuses. Meanwhile, by remaining shamefully silent and refusing to condemn DeVos’s proposal, Stefanowski is turning his back on Connecticut women, students, and victims of sexual violence. Stefanowski has refused to take a position on a woman’s right to choose, and his running mate, Joe Markley, was the sole state Senator in Connecticut to vote against a ‘yes means yes’ bill to require affirmative consent on college campuses.

“Connecticut needs leaders like Ned Lamont who will fight to protect and defend victims of sexual assault and hold their attackers accountable, not puppets of an administration that is actively fighting to weaken the rights of  victims of the sexual assault epidemic that plagues campuses across the country. Lamont’s swift response and promised action on this issue is exactly why Connecticut is ready to organize across the state to put him in the governor’s mansion this November.”