Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Connecticut gov, Houston mayor trade barbs after Final Four

Connecticut’s governor is taking heat for calling the city of Houston “butt ugly” after returning from the Final Four

Via AP news wire
Thursday 06 April 2023 21:29 BST
NCAA San Diego St UConn Basketball
NCAA San Diego St UConn Basketball (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Connecticut's governor took a shot at the city of Houston following the NCAA Tournament's Final Four, which was held in that city last weekend.

Gov. Ned Lamont, who traveled to Houston and was on hand Monday night to watch the University of Connecticut men's basketball team win its fifth NCAA Tournament championship, talked about his visit earlier this week on WPLR-FM's Chaz and AJ show.

“After winning the semifinals, you walk around downtown Houston, which is butt ugly," the Democrat said. “Not much there.”

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, also a Democrat, responded that he did not appreciate the governor “throwing shade” at his city after it went to the trouble to “feed you, dine you, host you, house you."

"And you're going to go back and talk about ‘butt ugly?’ Which end was he looking from?” Turner said on KHOU-TV.

Lamont made an apology of sorts on Thursday after being asked about his comments during an unrelated news event.

“We had a ball in Houston during the NCAA Final Four,” Lamont said. “The people there were incredibly gracious and welcoming for us, and the basketball game was pretty darn good as well.”

Lamont also emphasized that he was joking around on the radio show and said he enjoyed Turner’s response to his comments.

“He said: ‘Maybe the governor’s looking at the wrong end of a beautiful horse,’ ” Lamont said. “I guess I resemble that comment. I want to say more importantly that nothing compares to the beauty of that amazing basketball championship on Monday night.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in