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.”
At least 21 flights were made Aug. 19-21 between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn., according to the air traffic database FlightStats.
The Republican American newspaper, based in Hayes’ hometown of Waterbury, ran a survey in late August that found 67% of respondents said the congresswoman should have returned to respond to the floods.
Just 33% said the move would have been “performative” and that relief funding had already been secured.
Meanwhile, Hayes headed off to Martha’s Vineyard for a luxury getaway at Edgartown’s only waterfront resort, the Harborside Inn, for the price of $2,161.10.
While there, the Democrat dined in style, racking up $621.53 for a fundraiser at 19 Raw Oyster Bar, where a dozen oysters or clams costs $45 and a “bump of caviar” can be added for another $8.
A campaign meeting at the Alchemy Bar and Bistro, where a $69 Surf and Turf platter features filet medallions and butter-poached lobster, added another $214.68 to Hayes’ bill
The Hayes team shelled out another $909.07 at Faraway, a hotel with an array of dining options — including the outdoor Pelican Club that serves sashimi and “mouth-watering” ceviche.
The Harborside and Faraway were listed as travel expenses in the FEC filings.
Hayes paid an additional $1,635.45 for car rental on the nine-mile-long island.
Back in Connecticut, the campaign spent more money for printing services, supplies, and gas — as well as a $950 day at the Pizazz Salon and Boutique in West Haven.
All told, the Sept. 9 credit card payment, which included all expenses incurred since the flood hit, amounted to $12,876.74.
Hayes posted several times to social media and issued press releases on the emergency response to the flash flood — but hosted just one Aug. 23 briefing with federal, state and local officials to assess the storm damage.
Connecticut Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont requested more than $300 million in federal disaster relief, and Hayes and the state’s congressional delegation wrote a letter to President Biden asking for a formal disaster declaration, which was approved Sept. 20.
It’s unclear on which dates the Martha’s Vineyard trip and salon outing occurred.
Hayes is expected to face a close re-election race in Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District against Republican insurgent and former state Sen. George Logan. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report currently rates the contest as “lean Democrat.”
“It takes courage to choke down $8 oysters in Martha’s Vineyard with millionaire donors while Jahana’s constituents suffered,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Savannah Viar said in a statement.
Hayes was one of many House Democrats who covered for Biden’s cognitive decline — even after his disastrous June 27 debate performance against former President Donald Trump.
“I’m not a medical doctor,” she said when pressed by a GOP tracker about the 81-year-old commander in chief’s mental fitness.
Biden had already shown his cognitive impairment, however, at a Rose Garden event that Hayes attended in April 2023.
“Thank you for the members of Congress here today, including two outstanding educating congresswomen,” the president said, before inaccurately referring to her as “Jonah Hayes.”
“And by the way, Jonah Hayes is — Jonah, where are you? There you are, Jonah, right in front of me. … Stand up, Jonah!” he added, praising her honor 2016 National Teacher of the Year.
Reps for the Hayes campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
