While residents of western Connecticut were cleaning up from deadly floods this past August, Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes slurped down oysters, pampered herself at a pricey salon and traveled to Martha’s Vineyard and the Democratic National Convention in Chicago — spending nearly $13,000 in the process, Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show.
The three-term incumbent flew to the Windy City just as her home state was hit with a severe storm on Sunday, Aug. 18, which caused more than $206 million in damages to bridges, roads, businesses and homes due to flooding, mudslides and landslides.
More than 100 residents were evacuated, and at least two elderly women died when they were swept away by floodwaters.
Meanwhile, Hayes was living it up nearly 900 miles away, as her campaign forked over $6,384.91 for her to stay at the Sheraton Grand in downtown Chicago, per third quarter FEC filings.
“My heart goes out to all of the people impacted, and I really tried to work with all of the local agencies to make sure that we got the relief that we could,” the congresswoman, 51, said in a video posted to Facebook Aug. 21.
“When I started to get the updates in the news, I tried to schedule a flight to get back to Connecticut, but as you know there were delays, cancellations, and flights had just been booked,” she said. “There was really no way to do it.”
Hellbound and Down 