The Advocate today ran a profile by another reporter of state Rep. William Tong, D-Stamford, one of four candidates being considered by the White House to be Connecticut’s next U.S. Attorney.
The article did not mention what I’ve always thought would be a vote that would garner a bit of scrutiny – Tong’s support during the 2009 legislative session of a bill abolishing the death penalty.
Tong was among the 24 members of the legislature’s Judiciary Committee who on March 31 passed the bill, which went all the way to the desk of Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who vetoed it.
Earlier in March it had been reported that Tong was in the running for the U.S. Attorney post.
I asked Tong tonight about the death penalty vote and if/how it might factor into the White House’s decision-making process.
“I think they will look at my entire record and the way I’ve served the people of this state,” Tong said. “I’ve served it honorably and honestly and I leave it up to them.”
He continued: “Being U.S. Attorney is not like being a legislator. I’d be a U.S. Attorney reporting to the Attorney General and President of the United States and my job would be to implement their policy priorities. It’s different.”
Tong added: “I want to be very, very clear that I will enforce the laws of the United States to the fullest extent of the law.”
I should also point out that on March 31 he voted “no” on another high-profile criminal justice issue that was before the Judiciary Committee – a bill decriminalizing marijuana.
