Category Archives: Politics

Republicans Nominate State Rep. Devin Carney for Re-Election in 23rd District; Includes Lyme, Old Lyme

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State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd) has been endorsed by 23rd District Republicans as their candidate to seek re-election in the November election.

OLD SAYBROOK/OLD LYME/LYME/WESTBROOK—On Thursday, May 16, State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd) announced his unanimous endorsement from 23rd District Republicans.

In a convention held at the Vicki Duffy Pavilion in Old Saybrook, Carney received the nod from delegates from the district’s four communities: Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. 

Rep. Carney was first elected to serve the 23rd District in 2015. He is now seeking his sixth term in the position.

“I’ve always worked hard to put the people of the 23rd District first – above special interests and party interests,” said Carney, who in 2021 earned a national award for his bipartisan approach to legislating.

He continued, “To me, this is my responsibility as Representative. It is the honor of a lifetime to go  to Hartford to be the voice of our communities, and I look forward to spending this summer and fall to tell constituents about my work and listen to their concerns and ideas about how we can work together to make Connecticut a better state for everyone.” 

During his tenure, Rep. Carney has maintained a strong attendance record at the Capitol and has continued to be active in community events in all four towns of the 23rd district. Rep. Carney  has also been praised for his accessibility, bipartisanship, and work ethic during his tenure as State Representative.

He is also known for being a stalwart advocate for small towns and, in 2024, was given the “Town Crier Award” by the Connecticut Council of Small Towns for his legislative work. 

Rep. Carney serves in a leadership role within his caucus as the House Republican Policy Chair and also serves as the House Co-Chair of the bipartisan Future Caucus.

His committee assignments have put him at the center of many important policy debates at the Capitol. On the Transportation  Committee, he worked to improve safety on District roads and bridges and to improve operations at the DMV. On the Education Committee, Rep. Carney fought to give communities local control over education and to stop government mandates that can hurt children’s learning. 

“Our local public schools are a source of pride for our communities and the state should not be able to dictate what we teach or how we teach it,” said Carney. He added, “As long as I am State Representative, I will fight any measures that will weaken the quality and integrity of our education.”  

Serving on the Finance, Revenue, & Bonding Committee, Rep. Carney has focused on balancing the state budget, paying down debt, and growing the local economy and jobs. His involvement during the 2023 budget negotiations led to a reduction in taxes on pensions and retirement accounts.

“Improving affordability and opportunity in Connecticut and confidence in government are incredibly important to me and I will continue pushing policies to achieve these goals,” Rep. Carney concluded.

In addition to his legislative work, Rep. Carney works locally in finance and volunteers for many local organizations. He serves on the the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center Board of Trustees, on the board of Old Saybrook Senior Housing; he is a member of both the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club of Old Saybrook.

He was also recently appointed National Caucus of Environmental Legislators Board Treasurer.

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd).

Mastroianni Nominated by Republicans to Challenge State Sen. Martha Marx in 20th District, Includes Old Lyme

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Shaun Mastroianni is the Republican-endorsed candidate for the 20th State Senate District, which includes Old Lyme.

OLD LYME — Shaun Mastroianni has accepted the Republican nomination for the 20th State Senate District, which includes Old Lyme, along with Bozrah, East Lyme, New London, Salem, Waterford and parts of Montville and Old Saybrook.

He will challenge incumbent State Sen. Martha Marx (D-New London), who has served one term..

In a news release, Mastroianni says, “As a parent, I understand the challenges so many families are facing today. We need a Senator who will address the kitchen table issues.”

Mastroianni commits that he will, “… work to reduce sky high inflation, support greater access to affordable health care, and promote policies that expand job growth and create opportunity for all.”

He continues, “Currently, I live in Old Lyme with my husband and daughter. We own two successful businesses along the shoreline. We have always been involved in our community, giving back, serving on committees, boards, and helping local nonprofits.”

Mastroianni concludes, “I have had a successful career in the senior living industry and serve as Connecticut Baptist Homes, Inc’s Chief Operating Officer. When we are not working or volunteering you can find us enjoying the outdoors in our yard or garden.”

Biden, Trump Win Easily in Lyme, Old Lyme; Runners-up in Both Towns are Haley for Republicans, ‘Uncommitted’ for Dem’s

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LYME/OLD LYME—The results in Tuesday’s Presidential Preference Primaries brought no surprises in either Lyme or Old Lyme with President Joe Biden (D) and the presumptive Republican nominee Donald J. Trump (R) both winning comfortably, though by significantly different margins.

Biden took 93.1% (135 votes) of the 145 Democratic votes cast in Lyme and 89.4% (254 votes) of the 284 Democratic votes cast in Old Lyme.

In contrast, Trump’s share of the Republican vote in Lyme (38 votes) was 53.5%. Nikki Haley, despite suspending her campaign, garnered 18 votes representing almost exactly half the number of votes received by Trump, and equivalent to 25.4% of the 71 total Republican votes.

In Old Lyme, Trump took 66.5% of the total Republican votes cast—151 votes out of 227— with Haley collecting 51 votes, representing 22.4% of the total. Haley’vote total was almost exactly one third of Trump’s total.

The second place Democratic candidate in both towns was ‘Uncommitted” with six Lyme voters selecting that option and 12 Old Lyme voters taking it.

The full results in Lyme were as follows:

DEMOCRATS
Marianne Williamson: 3
Dean Phillips: 0
Cenk Uygur: 1
Joe Biden:135
Uncommitted: 6

REPUBLICANS
Ron DeSantis: 3
Nikki Haley: 18
Donald J. Trump: 38
Ryan Binkley: 0
Uncommitted: 12

The full results in Old Lyme were as follows:

DEMOCRATS
Marianne Williamson: 3
Dean Phillips: 2
Cenk Uygur: 3
Joe Biden: 254
Uncommitted: 22

REPUBLICANS
Ron DeSantis: 6
Nikki Haley: 51
Donald J. Trump: 151
Ryan Binkley: 2
Uncommitted: 17

State Senator Martha Marx Announces Re-Election Campaign for 20th District, Includes Old Lyme

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Atate Senator Martha Marx (D-20th)

NEW LONDON, CT: State Senator Martha Marx (D-20th) has announced a re-election campaign for her seat representing the 20th District, which includes Old Lyme, as well as Bozrah, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Saybrook, Salem and Waterford. Marx was first elected to the General Assembly in 2022.

“As a career nurse, the one issue that will always be closest to my heart is healthcare,” Marx stated at the opening of her campaign, continuing, “During my first term, I fought day in and day out to make options here in Connecticut more affordable and take the needed measures to protect nurses on the job who are working to keep us healthy and safe.”

She added, “I also took affordability head-on, passing Connecticut’s largest tax cut in state history, fighting on behalf of consumers against utility companies, and bringing needed state funds to all eight towns in the district.” She also cited various local projects across the district, which she has supported, including funding for the Lymes’ Senior Center.”

Senator Marx has been a resident of New London and a registered nurse for over 30 years. She is a former New London City Council member and a visiting nurse. Since being elected to the senate, Martha has focused on expanding access to affordable healthcare, making the workplace safer and more equitable, and making southeast Connecticut more affordable.

Newly elected Montville Mayor, Lenny “Bud” Bunnell, spoke in support of Senator Marx’s re-election. “Having been recently elected to my first term as the Mayor of Montville I have been very fortunate to be able to call upon Martha for advice and as a resource.”

New London Mayor Michael Passero also took the opportunity to praise Senator Marx on Wednesday. “During her first term, Martha has proven to be a relentless advocate for this district in the senate.”

Beth Sabilia, who is director of the Center for Housing Equity and Opportunity of Eastern Connecticut, also shared her support for Marx, saying, “Senator Marx is a tireless champion for the regular people of the 20th District.”

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by the State Senator Marx’s press team.

State Rep. Carney Recognized for Advocacy on Behalf of Small Towns

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 State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd) is presented with COST’s Town Crier Award by Paula Cofrancesco, COST President. Photo submitted.

HARTFORD/LYME/OLD LYME – In recognition of his work on behalf of Connecticut’s small towns, State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd) has been named a recipient of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns’ (COST) Town Crier Award during their 2024 Town Meeting held Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville.

The award is given annually to legislators who have distinguished themselves as outstanding advocates on issues affecting Connecticut’s small towns.

“It is such an honor to be recognized by the Connecticut Council of Small Towns, an organization for which I have deep respect,” Rep. Carney said. “As the representative of four small towns [Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and part of Westbrook], I believe communities like the ones I represent are the backbone of our state. With this award, I will continue to be a voice for local control of municipal government and education, mandate relief, and ensuring our towns are safe.”

During the award ceremony, Paula Cofrancesco, First Selectman of Bethany and COST’s President said “Rep. Carney has long been recognized as a legislator who reaches across party lines in a collaborative manner to address issues facing the state’s smaller communities, including finding solutions to the state’s waste management issues, supporting enhanced rail service, and stopping unfunded mandates that would impose costly administrative burdens on our communities. COST is honored to present our Town Crier Award to Rep. Carney for his tireless advocacy on behalf of the state’s small towns.”

Founded in 1975, The Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) is an advocacy organization committed to giving small towns a strong voice in the legislative process. Its members are Connecticut towns with populations of less than 35,000.

Other recipients, who also received awards at the event, included State Senator Ryan Fazio (R-36) and State Representative Pat Boyd (D-50). State Senator Cathy Osten (D-19) was unable to attend the event but is also scheduled to receive an award.