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Fairfield County Residents Divided On Benefit Of Obama's Rally For Malloy

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- With the race heating up throughout the state and President Barack Obama on his way to the area to stump for the Democratic candidate, one thing is for certain: Fairfield County residents have yet to make up their minds on the gubernatorial race.

Mike Mcglinn of New Canaan said a visit by President Barack Obama won't sway his vote for governor.

Mike Mcglinn of New Canaan said a visit by President Barack Obama won't sway his vote for governor.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio

After making an private appearance in Greenwich earlier this week, Obama is expected to be in Bridgeport next Wednesday for a rally to support Gov. Dannel Malloy on his re-election campaign.

And while a recent Quinnipiac University poll shows Malloy and Republican challenger Tom Foley are in a deadlock, many around town in Fairfield are either uninterested or unaware of the event that is scheduled to take place next door in the state’s largest city.

Mike Mcglinn of New Canaan said he was not aware of the upcoming rally but doesn't believe it will affect his vote. He is "leaning toward Foley," Mcglinn said Friday.

Kelsey Shockey, a Fairfield University student from Westport, said she would not be voting in this year’s gubernatorial election. However, a presidential endorsement wouldn’t mean much to her, a sentiment shared by many students.

“To be honest with you I don’t really follow politics a lot, so I don’t really know if I’m excited about that or not,” Shockey said about Obama’s visit.

And though many were unaware of the Oct. 15 event, some believe a presidential endorsement alone has the ability to sway their vote.

Fairfield resident Jonny Anne is excited to see the president support Connecticut’s governor.

“I’ll tell you what, anything [Obama] supports, I support,” she said.

Conversely, Fairfield resident Byron Bond believes the president’s support could possibly “sway my vote in a slightly negative way,” but added he has yet to make up his mind on who he will vote for come November.

But the majority of residents who spoke with the Daily Voice said they will not be swayed either way by the second-term president.

“I try to focus more on the promises and whether or not they seem realistic,” said Fairfield University commuter Rick Barone.

The location and further details on Malloy’s rally have yet to be released. 

State Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo announced the president's visit in an email to supporters. "He’ll be in Bridgeport Wednesday evening — details will be announced soon — to fire up Connecticut Democrats, talk about the progress we’ve made over the last four years, and highlight the important choices voters face in November," she wrote. 

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