Politics & Government

Linda McMahon to Visit Stratford Flower Shop Today

The Republican Senate candidate's last stop on an early campaign tour of women-owned businesses in the state ends Tuesday at Booth House of Flowers.

Republican Senate hopeful Linda McMahon concludes her statewide five-day tour of women-owned businesses today in Stratford at on Nichols Avenue.

"I think it's great that Linda is taking the time to visit businesses, to see things firsthand," Alice Arcuri, the owner of the local flower shop, told Patch via email.

After four stops in Fairfield, McMahon's early campaign tour for US Senate 2012 will come to Booth House of Flowers at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Find out what's happening in Stratfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I believe Linda has a genuine interest in listening to businesswomen," Arcuri said. "I've met her twice before and each time had what I feel were productive conversations."

Arcuri said McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, had her vote in 2010 when she was up against Democrat and eventual winner Richard Blumenthal. McMahon said this go-around she plans to do a lot more one-on-one campaigning, especially with women, a demographic which largely favored her opponent last year, according to The Associated Press.

Find out what's happening in Stratfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Exit polling in the state by The Associated Press in 2010 showed that three out of five women voted for Blumenthal, and that female voters were far more likely than male voters to be turned off by her association with the wrestling giant, criticized for how it has portrayed women and violence over the years."

The AP said Blumenthal trounced McMahon when it came to the women without children vote, besting the businesswoman by a 62 to 37 percent margin. 

But Arcuri said it's McMahon's background in business that makes her a viable candidate to take the seat of Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who is not seeking re-election.

"If Linda is elected, I feel she will bring the business mindset that is needed in our government today," the shop owner said. "I personally feel that we need to run our towns, states and the country like a business [and] Linda knows how to run a business."

On a local level, it has been tough to compete with larger, big box outfits that can afford to offer a similar product for a cheaper price, Arcuri said. And in the current state of the economy, the cash-strapped wallets of the general public have many people "foregoing quality for price," she said.

"I realize that everyone is looking to save wherever they can, and unfortunately, the big box stores and chains can offer prices someone like me cannot," Arcuri said.

These are the issues Arcuri will bring to the table later today when she meets with Senate candidate McMahon: "Even if one thing I say to Linda sticks with her when she becomes elected, I will feel as though I've made a contribution to the betterment of the current economic situation of our state."

Tuesday's full tour schedule follows:

11 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Casa Josephine, 1700 Post Road, Fairfield

11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Letarte Swimwear, 160 Carter Henry Drive, Fairfield

12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Roundtable discussion hosted by Letarte Swimwear

1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Party Party, 14 Sanford St., Fairfield

2:10 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. Fairfield Pilates, 85 Mill Plain Road, Fairfield

3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. , 27 Nichols Ave., Stratford

Editor's note: Linda McMahon is one of at least four candidates competing for the GOP nomination, according to the AP.

What do you think of McMahon's five-day tour of women-owned businesses? Tell us in the comments section below.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here