Murphy Wraps Up 105-Mile Walk With Sore Feet, Meet-And-Greet In Danbury

DANBURY, Conn. — As U.S. Chris Murphy set out Thursday morning for the last 2 miles of his 105-mile walk across Connecticut, he reflected on the differences — and similarities — between the eastern and western sides of the state.

U.S. Chris Murphy is surrounded by a circle of supporters as he arrives in Rogers Park in Danbury after walking across the entire state of Connecticut.
Photo Credit: *Karen Tensa*

Bill Shute and Jackie Reizes throw their support behind Chris Murphy for the 2020 presidential campaign. 'We like what he's doing in the Senate,' Bill said, 'but we're encouraging other things.' Wife Jackie made the signs 'in a rush' for the event.
Photo Credit: *Karen Tensa*

Danbury High grads Alexandra Prendergast, who worked as Chris Murphy's Senate Page, and Anjali Pai, who attends Murphy's alma mater of Williams College, join the crowd at Rogers Park.
Photo Credit: *Karen Tensa*

Geoff and Maureen Bartlett of Ridgefield pose with the Murphy sign from the 2012 Democratic State Convention. Maureen is waring her Team Murphy T-shirt — but she changed the "12" on the back to "18" in anticipation of his re-election campaign.
Photo Credit: *Karen Tensa*

Chris Murphy joked that State Rep. Bob Godfrey welcomed him to his district as the senator made it to Rogers Park in Danbury.
Photo Credit: *Karen Tensa*

Mary Shepheard and her daughter Autumn, 2, greet Sen. Chris Murphy over breakfast at Jacqueline's restaurant in Bethel on Thursday.
Photo Credit: *Karen Tensa*

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy sets out Thursday from downtown Bethel to finish his trek across Connecticut. 103 miles down, just 2 miles left to go.
Photo Credit: *Karen Tensa*

Karen Tensa

08/18/2017 5:05 a.m.

"As you're walking through Eastern Connecticut, it's much more agricultural. People there are worried about an aging population and the future of education in their towns," Murphy said as he set out from Jacqueline's restaurant in Bethel for Rogers Park in Danbury.

"When you get to the Western side of the state, the concerns are more about healthcare and cost of living," he said. "When you walk, you see the state and the people from a different perspective"

But in the end, there are "more issues we have in common," said Murphy, who turned 44 this month.

Murphy, who was making his second annual trek across the Nutmeg State, set out Sunday from Killingly, walking the equivalent of about a marathon a day for four days.

"My feet have seen better days," said Murphy, who sported a UConn hat and a few days worth of beard.

Each night, he hosted a town hall meeting with residents — "the turnouts have been incredible," said Murphy. His last meeting was held Wednesday evening in Newtown, where over 500 people lined the gym at Edmond Town Hall.

On Thursday, he trekked just 10 miles from Newtown to Danbury, with a stop in downtown Bethel along the way. He talked with Alice Byrd Hutchinson, owner of Byrd's Books; shared a blueberry with 2-year-old Autumn Shepheard of Bethel; and exclaimed his surprise to hear from the owner that Jacqueline's restaurant is open seven days a week.

When Murphy took his final steps into Rogers Park, he was greeted by a round of applause from a crowd of 100 supporters.

But it still wasn't time for a break. The senator spent over an hour greeting every member of the crowd — and posing for photos.

And he was on his feet the whole time.

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