Connecticut’s top law‑enforcement official is once again on the campaign trail. Attorney General William Tong, who has served since 2019, declared his intention to seek a third four‑year term, framing his record of lawsuits against the Trump administration as the centerpiece of his re‑election message.
Legal battles as a campaign platform
During a recent interview on WNHH FM’s “Dateline New Haven,” Tong warned that “Connecticut is under attack every single day” and pledged to build a stronger legal firewall to protect families across the state. He cited more than 60 lawsuits filed by his office – ranging from challenges to federal immigration enforcement to actions against Big Tech, Big Pharma and utility monopolies – as proof of his willingness to stand up to “the most powerful forces, the biggest, most powerful corporate monopolies, the president of the United States.”
Tong highlighted a $5.2 billion return to Connecticut from settlements and joint actions, a figure he said equals twenty‑two times his office’s annual budget. He argued that these results demonstrate the tangible benefits of aggressive state‑level litigation.
Immigration and the Trump administration
When pressed on the contentious issue of immigration enforcement, Tong rejected the claim that the Supremacy Clause forces states to obey every directive from the Trump administration. “The Supremacy Clause does not mean that I have to do everything Donald Trump says,” he said, noting that state sovereignty has never been surrendered in the nation’s 250‑year history. Tong stressed that the federal government has a duty to protect American citizens and families, not to “terrorize immigrants who do so much for New Haven and for Connecticut and for our country.”
Election integrity fights
Tong also warned that the Trump administration is attempting to manipulate the voting process by using the United States Postal Service to block certain voters. He described the effort as an attempt by “a wannabe king or dictator” to steal elections, emphasizing that his job is to protect both Connecticut and the franchise, regardless of who occupies the White House.
Public‑health victories and ongoing challenges
Beyond federal confrontations, Tong pointed to major settlements that have benefitted Connecticut families. A $17 billion settlement with Meta earmarked $265.4 million for the state to remediate social‑media harm to young people, and a $7.4 billion victory against Purdue Pharma helped curb the opioid crisis. Tong noted that fatal fentanyl overdoses have declined since those settlements, though newer synthetic opioids continue to pose a threat.
When asked whether these setbacks discourage him, Tong answered unequivocally, “I never get discouraged. I never quit. I never back down.” He recalled that when he first took office, the state lost roughly 1,500 lives a year to opioid‑related deaths, a figure that has fallen thanks to aggressive legal action and prevention efforts.
Personal background and family ties
Born in Hartford Hospital to parents who immigrated from China, Tong highlighted his personal connection to the immigration debate, noting that the Supreme Court’s decision confirming his citizenship makes him the first American citizen in his immediate family by birthright.
Looking ahead
As the 2026 election approaches, Tong’s campaign will likely focus on his record of defending state sovereignty, protecting election integrity and holding powerful corporations accountable. His Republican opponent, former U.S. ambassador John Bolton, has also entered the race, promising a different approach to the same constitutional questions.
Connecticut voters will have a clear choice this November: a seasoned attorney general who has made litigation his primary tool for safeguarding families, or a challenger who argues for a different balance of state and federal power.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
