State Rep. Apologizes for Parking in Handicapped Space

State Rep. Brandon L. McGee Jr. issued a public apology after parking in a handicapped space while grabbing coffee at a Dunkin Donuts in Hartford on Friday.

McGee, a Democrat who represents Windsor and Hartford, has come under fire after a photo of his parked BMW began circulating online over the weekend.

The lawmaker said he left his car idling at the Dunkin Donuts on Capitol Avenue while he stopped in for a cup of coffee.

"This past Friday, I ran into Dunkin Donuts. I left the car running. I parked in a handicapped parking space – extremely wrong. I was wrong," McGee said. "I had just left a tour with some of my kids at the State Capitol, and I'm running over to another meeting with the full-time job [at CREC]. But that's all not important, and the reality is, I should not have parked in that space."

McGee also posted an apology on his Facebook page.

"Dear Friends, thank you for holding me accountable. The other day (Friday to be exact) I made my usual run to D&D and was in a hurry.... parked in a handicap parking space.... Major No-No," McGee wrote.

"So for the record, I respect the disabled and people in general. What I should have done was NOT park in a handicap parking space," the post continues.

McGee told NBC Connecticut he tightened his Facebook privacy settings after he began receiving malicious responses.

"This has escalated to the place where the comments and the death threats I've received on Facebook are a tad bit inappropriate and I just really hope on the day where we're celebrating peace and love that we wouldn't have to go that far," he said Monday. "I'm interested in healthy dialogue and holding your elected officials accountable. What I won't allow is for you to threaten my life, my family, and say some very, very nasty words."

According to his website, McGee, a Hartford native, is currently serving his second term in the state legislature and is a member of the judiciary, human services, labor and public employees committees.

"I really hope that the people in Connecticut and those that have any disabilities would allow to 1. forgive me, but 2. know that my heart is still on that committee, ready to lead and do the right thing," McGee said.

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