The Braver Angels Connecticut Alliance invites the public to Moving Beyond Polarization: Making Politics Work, a special event on Zoom, demonstrating how two state representatives—one red, one blue—can bridge the political divide.

Braver Angels co-founder Bill Doherty will moderate this unique discussion between Republican Stephen Harding (Connecticut's 107th Assembly District) and Democrat Cristin McCarthy Vahey (Connecticut's 133rd Assembly District). Free and open to people of any and all political viewpoints. Co-sponsored by Connecticut Public and the Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford.

In this first “Braver Politics” event in Connecticut, Braver Angels Co-Founder Bill Doherty will engage our invited legislators in discussing life experiences that have influenced their policy views, how polarization has impacted government, and what can be done to address it. A Q&A will follow the discussion.

Goals

Improve one’s understanding of the experiences values and beliefs of members of the other political party
Discover areas of commonality and differences
Discuss current challenges in state politics
Explore ideas for reducing polarization

Guests

Connecticut State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey (Democrat) is serving her fourth term representing Fairfield's 133rd Assembly District. She is House Chair of the Planning and Development Committee and a member of the Government Administration and Elections and Transportation committees. Learn more

Connecticut State Representative Stephen Harding (Republican) is serving in his fourth term representing the 107th Assembly District covering Brookfield and parts of Bethel and Danbury. He is the Ranking Member of the Legislature’s Environment Committee, a member of the Judiciary and the Education committees. Learn more

Moderator

Bill Doherty, co-founder of Braver Angels will be the moderator of this discussion. He is the creator of the Braver Angels workshop approach and is a Professor and Director of the Minnesota Couples on the Brink Project in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. His background combines expertise in family therapy and community engagement. Learn more

About Braver Politics

Moving Beyond Polarization is the Connecticut Alliance’s first "Braver Politics" event. Launched by Braver Angels in the spring of 2022, Braver Politics is a national initiative to depolarize our politics and remake our political culture from the ground up in a spirit of trust, citizenship, and good-will. By fostering opportunities for elected officials, candidates, and their staffs to participate in Braver Angels programs with each other and with constituents, to develop skills for communicating across difference, and to build constructive relationships across partisan divides, Braver Politics will influence politics at the local, state, and federal level going into the 2022 elections and beyond. Braver Politics invites citizen volunteers, candidates, and elected officials to take part in their efforts. Learn more

Hosted by Braver Angels Connecticut Alliance, and sponsored by Connecticut Public and The Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford

Questions? Contact ctalliance@braverangels.org

See you there!

Registrations are closed

Moving Beyond Polarization: Making Politics Work