An application for a restraining order has been filed against State Representative Liz Linehan (D-Cheshire) stemming from an incident last week where Rep. Linehan confronted a constituent and conservative activist, who had been critical of Linehan’s policies and voting history, at her place of employment.
The restraining order application, dated May 20th, details the incident that happened two days prior. According to the application, Rep. Linehan sought out and approached Colleen Dabkowski at The Network Salon in Plantsville, and reached out her hand to introduce herself to Dabkowski.
Rep. Linehan then asked “Do you work?” to which Dabkowski responded that she did. Rep. Linehan then responded “I’m surprised you have time to have a job when you spend all your time on social media trolling me,” according to the application.
Dabkowski is the Vice-Chairwoman of conservative groups Parents Choice and Take Back CT, groups focused on opposing mask mandates, LGBT and critical race theory education in schools and making Connecticut more fiscally conservative and business-friendly, respectively.
Dabkowski explained that her social media content is aimed at expressing her opinions of Rep. Linehan’s political positions and never did she threaten her or verbally attack her personally, to which Rep. Linehan responded that she “spends a lot of money” at the salon, according to the application.
Dabkowski said she asked if Rep. Linehan’s remark was a threat, and Rep. Linehan simply repeated the comment. Dabkowski then states that Rep. Linehan’s behavior was “aggressive, targeted and she insinuated and threatened that there would be financial consequences if I continue to discuss her political standpoints on social media and online podcasts.”
The application states that Dabkowski is requesting that Rep. Linehan stay at least 50-feet away from her while she is at her place of work and “that she not call my boss in any further attempts to have me fired.”
Dabkowski also filed a police report, according to the restraining order application. The matter is scheduled to be heard on May 31st.
