GOP Chief Calls Democratic Party 'Hypocritical' In Its Silence About Arce's Texts To Teen Girl

State Republican Chairman J.R. Romano blasted the state Democratic Party for its three-week “silence” about state Rep. Angel Arce’s texts to a 16-year-old girl, and said the lack of comment and “moral leadership” by state Democratic Chairman Nick Balletto and his party is “completely hypocritical.”

Romano said the Democratic Party has criticized him and Connecticut Republicans over issues such as inappropriate conduct with teen-aged girls decades ago by Roy Moore, the unsuccessful Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Alabama.

“They are the first with moral outrage when it comes to everything but their own party. … This is akin to a Roy Moore moment here in Connecticut and they haven’t said a word,” Romano said. “They don’t hold themselves to the same standard that they hold everyone else to.”

Balletto issued a statement Friday — the first from the party about the Arce situation, which surfaced publicly on The Courant’s website on March 1. “The Speaker and the Governor handled this quickly and appropriately. Rep Arce’s behavior was inappropriate and has no place this or any legislature,” Balletto said. “We support the calls from Democratic leaders for him to step down, which he has.”

Read more: http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-romano-arce-dems-20180323-story.html