Connecticut's Late Dem. Gov. Grasso's Daughter Endorses Art Carney's GOP Grandson

In a move that made news throughout Connecticut last week, the daughter of the Nutmeg State's late and much-revered Democratic Gov. Ella Grasso endorsed Republican State Rep. Devin Carney for reelection.

"As the daughter of Ella Grasso, it is no surprise I am a staunch Democrat," declared Susanne Grasso, who lives in the 23rd District which includes Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. "But I will be proudly splitting my ticket and casting a vote for Devin Carney."

That blessing packs a punch in a state where there is an Ella Grasso Turnpike, the Ella Grasso Technical High School, an Ella Grasso Boulevard, and numerous other monuments to the first woman in U.S. history to be elected governor without following her husband.

Grasso, who also served as U.S. representative, was governor from 1974-80 and died of cancer six weeks after resigning from office. She is warmly remembered for her tough-minded governance and especially for getting her state through the 30-inches of snow that came in the blizzard of February 1978.

Three-term legislator Carney also has some notable lineage: he is the grandson of the late actor Art Carney, famed as "Ed Norton" on "The Honeymooners" and "The Jackie Gleason Show," and in such notable parts as the movie "Harry and Tonto" and as the villainous "Archer" on "Batman."

He now faces a stiff challenge from liberal Democrat and human rights lawyer David Rubino.

"It's fair to call me a moderate Republican," Carney, 36, told Newsmax. "Like Ronald Reagan, I believe in reaching out to people who think differently in order to reach your goals."

A stalwart conservative who wants to roll back Connecticut's occupancy tax ("We've got to make our state affordable so people stay here"), Carney is also pro-choice and a vigorous supporter of conservation and preserving the environment.

Inevitably, he is asked about his famous grandfather and what he was like in person.

"Oh, a beautiful guy, and I was 19 when he died so I knew him pretty well," said Devlin of grandfather Art, who lived in the next town over in Eastern Connecticut. "And I think he was a Democrat. But my grandmother was a Republican, so they got to vote in different primaries."

John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.