Sen. Kelly Statement on Lamont Administration Awarding Multimillion No-Bid State Contract to Partisan Campaign Firm

HARTFORD – Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) released the following statement today in response to the Governor’s administration entering into a $24 million no-bid state contract with Democratic political campaign firm Grossman Solutions.

“I am extremely concerned that Governor Lamont’s administration is using executive powers to enter into no-bid contracts with politically connected organizations. There is a reason our state has laws governing state contracts to ensure taxpayer dollars are best protected. Governor Lamont issued executive orders to waive the normal contract-procurement procedures in the early days of the pandemic. A year has now passed, yet this circumvention of state law remains in place and its use seems to be escalating. In recent weeks we’ve heard about a $250,000 no-bid contract with politically connected PR firm, and now an astonishing $24 million arrangement with a Democratic political campaign firm. Why did this not go out to bid? We’ve known for months that vaccinations were coming and an RFP could have been issued. At a time when so many are struggling, we must make sure every taxpayer dollar is used in the most effective way possible to get the best quality services at the best price. Contracts should not be awarded based on partisan connections, but rather based on best value and quality for the people we serve.”