Category Archives: Politics

Local Candidates Respond to Our Questions

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UPDATED NOV. 8: We received an email yesterday from Jerry Labriola Jr.’s campaign manager Eddie Aledia stating, “We apologize for not responding to your candidate survey, it got lost in the emails and showed in the spam folder.” Aleida offered, “To send responses to the questions you provided right now,” but we felt obliged to decline that offer in the interests of parity since all the other candidates, who responded, had met our deadline. We appreciate Aleida’s response.

In keeping with a long tradition and in the interests of increasing voter knowledge prior to next week’s critically important mid-term elections, we asked all the candidates, whose districts include Lyme and/or Old Lyme, to send us a brief biography and photo, and answer three questions that we posed to them.

We are disappointed to report that, for the first time we can recall, two of the six candidates did not to respond to our questionnaire. We are, however, pleased to publish the responses for the remaining four.  We would like to express our sincere thanks to the responding candidates both for taking the time to answer our questions and adhering to our strict word limits — 100 words for the bio and 350 words for each response.

The questions were:

  1. What is the most serious problem currently facing the state of Connecticut? Why is it the most serious problem? What would you do to help solve the problem?
  2. If elected/re-elected, which issues (excluding the one you have described in Q1) would be your primary focus during your term?
  3. Why are you running for this position?

The candidates are:

House District #23 (includes Lyme and Old Lyme)

Devin Carney (R – Incumbent)

Colin Heffernan (D)

Senate District #20 (includes Old Lyme)

Jerry Labriola, Jr. (R )

Martha Marx (D)

Senate District #33  (includes Lyme)

Norm Needleman (D – incumbent)

Brandon Goff (R) 

Click on the candidate’s name above to read their biography and responses to our questions.

For the record and again, in keeping with a long tradition, we will not be making any candidate endorsements.

Letter to the Editor: Local Students Support Carney for Re-election, “Best Candidate for Our Future”

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To the Editor:

As graduates of public schools in the 23rd, we always felt we received a quality education that prepared us for the next steps in our lives. We all decided to continue our education and look forward to entering the job market and the ‘real world’ soon.

For many college students, the world seems like a scary place right now. Inflation, international wars, intense political division, online bullying, and cancel culture are things we must deal with or have dealt with already in our lives. For our future, we believe that Devin Carney is best prepared to handle our ever-changing world and the best to support students and young people.

Devin is the only candidate in the race who attended local public schools, so he understands – first-hand – the importance they have over young minds. He believes in ensuring parents, students, and local teachers have input in curriculum – not the state. Like us, he went to college after and was the first person in his immediate family to graduate from college. He gets the impact student loans and a tenuous economy and job market have – and he will do whatever he can to make improvements. He has already worked to defeat tax increases and opposed tuition hikes.

He has also made young generations a hallmark of his tenure. He started the Connecticut Future Caucus for legislators under 45 and has always extended a hand across the aisle to come up with the best policies. In addition, Devin wants us to succeed – he doesn’t want us to lose our dreams or lose a job opportunity because of our political views or political affiliation. We have seen too much of that in this country and it must end. Devin proposed legislation to protect free speech on college campuses regardless of political party.

To us, there is no question Devin is the best candidate for our future and we hope you will join us in supporting him November 8th!

Sincerely,

Jack Dunn,
Old Saybrook/Georgetown

Matt Julius,
Old Saybrook/Eastern Connecticut State University

Henry Lahm,
Lyme/University of Rhode Island

Daniel Ruppenicker,
Westbrook/Virginia Tech

Letter to the Editor: State Rep. Carney Deserves Re-election; Proven Fiscal Conservative, Understands 23rd District Communities, Supports Schools & Scouts

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To the Editor:

As a physician, mother, Region 18 Board of Education member, and Lyme resident for more than 20 years, I am proud to give my support to State Rep Devin Carney. Over the past four terms Devin has served his constituents well and I am fully confident that he will continue to be a strong voice for us in Hartford. With energy rates due to skyrocket, an unstable stock market, and historic inflation causing significant financial hardship among residents, it is vital we have a representative who understands these issues and how they impact our communities.

In Devin’s time in the legislature he has served in leadership roles and on the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding committee; he is also a financial professional. We need someone who gets the economy and is a proven fiscal conservative – that is Devin Carney!

Devin is committed to and understands our communities. The 23rd District is made up of four distinct towns with different local concerns, all of which Devin knows about and can speak to in detail. He also is a strong supporter of our local schools, teaching professionals, and students. Devin has always been supportive of Boy Scout Troop 26 in Lyme/Old Lyme and has been there to honor our Eagle Scouts, including my sons.

He puts his all into his role as our representative and we deserve to have someone like him in these tenuous times. I hope you will support Devin on November 8th – he has my family’s support.

Sincerely,

Mary Powell-St. Louis,
Lyme.

Devin Carney (R): Candidate (Incumbent) for House District #23

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I am running for my fifth term serving as State Representative for the 23rd District. I was born and raised in Old Saybrook and currently live in Old Lyme. I serve as Ranking Member of the Transportation Committee, as a member on the Finance and Education Committees, and as an Assistant Minority Leader. I work in finance at John A Bysko Associates and serve on The Kate Board of Trustees, the Rotary Club of Old Saybrook, Old Saybrook Chamber and the Old Lyme RTC. I am a past alternate on the Old Lyme ZBA.

1.What is the most serious problem currently facing the state of Connecticut? Why is it the most serious problem? What would you do to help solve the problem?

The most serious problem facing Connecticut is our uncertain economic outlook. Nearly every person I speak to has concerns about the cost of groceries, the expected rise in utility costs, the uncertainty surrounding the price of gasoline, supply chain issues, the stock market and retirement plans; the list goes on and on. All of us are affected by these circumstances, especially the middle class and seniors living on fixed incomes. Small businesses have concerns about hiring employees, the costs of goods, and the potential for fewer customers this winter due to household budgets being squeezed.

First, I would suspend several taxes. The gas tax holiday should be extended past this year, and the highway use tax should be repealed before it takes effect. Additionally, I would also put in a diesel tax holiday. Increasing costs on shipping and delivering basic necessities like heating oil makes no sense, yet that is the direction we are heading under the current majority party. Second, my focus would be on energy costs. DEEP and PURA should focus their efforts towards finding cost effective and reliable sources of energy for Connecticut’s consumers. I am a strong advocate for expanding renewable energy but we need to recognize that the windmill project in New London is pure government corruption and waste. As in the past, I would continue to oppose the creation of new taxes. The Democrat majority has tried to implement a statewide property tax, new grocery taxes, a cell phone tax, and taxes on services like accounting and taking your dog or cat to the vet. Overspending drives the constant need for new revenues; I’ll continue to fight against wasteful pork barrel spending. This played a huge role in this year’s budget increase. The state must do whatever it can to ease the burden of inflation and I am the best equipped to do so.

2. If elected/re-elected, which issues (excluding the one you have described in Q1) would be your primary focus during your term?

Other issues are public safety, education, and energy. Regarding public safety, I would focus efforts to hire the best and brightest state troopers. Because of the ‘defund the police mentality’, we are down nearly 400 state troopers from where we should be. This makes Connecticut more dangerous – and recent crime statistics show rape and murder are up. I would also put an end to criminal-first policies and always put victims’ rights first. I believe in second chances and rehabilitation, but there comes a point when the state must protect the public from a repeat violent offender.

Our public schools are vital to the 23rd. They are a big reason why families move here and why our property values remain high. The people who know our schools and students best should be the ones in charge of curriculum. I would pull back state mandates and let our teachers teach to the students they have. Parents should also have rights in the classroom and be a part of the learning process.  There cannot be anymore COVID mandates infringing on our kids’ education – as President Biden said “The Pandemic Is Over”.  We also must do more to encourage youth to get into in-demand careers in the trades and STEM. I have championed adding financial literacy as an option for schools and creating recovery schools for students recovering from addiction. 

Regarding energy, the State of Connecticut made a grave error in handing control of our emissions and energy laws to California through SB 4. California has some of the highest gas costs (over $6/gallon!) and some of the highest cost, least reliable energy. It makes no sense to allow the California Air Resources Board, located 3000 miles away in a state with a population 10x our size with a completely different climate, to control what we do here. The state should be focused on diversifying energy and PURA/DEEP must balance environmental initiatives with cost. Unless the state gets energy costs down, there will be people freezing this winter. The mandates in SB 4, including the California takeover, will make your delivery fees higher.

3. Why are you running for this position?

I am running for a fifth term because I believe the residents of the 23rd deserve someone with dedication, experience, and the institutional knowledge to tackle major problems of the day.  We deserve a pragmatist with an independent mind, not an extremist with little experience outside of the partisan committee of a town. I am a proven listener with a proven record of bipartisanship – and we need more people in the legislature like that, not more zealots.. Expanding the current majority will only lead to higher costs and most residents here simply cannot afford that.

In my tenure in the legislature I have created bipartisan caucuses on clean energy and for our future. I received the Millennial Action Project’s “Rising Star Award” for my work reaching across the aisle. To me, it’s the policies that should matter, not political parties. If everyone had this view then we would be able to get a lot more accomplished. For me, this has been about public service and I’d like to continue to be a champion for the four towns within the district.

I have always tried to be a force for good and will continue to be if re-elected.  But, I need your support to get there. Regardless of what happens, it’s been an honor serving and I thank the wonderful people of the district for giving me that opportunity. 

Colin Heffernan (D): Candidate for House District #23

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Colin graduated magna cum laude from Tulane Law School in 2008, and after serving as a research clerk in our Superior Court, joined the Heffernan Legal Group where he’s practiced law in the community for 12 years. Through his experience as a general practice attorney he’s supported clients during their most difficult times, a unique perspective he’ll bring to serving his constituents. Colin served on the town of Old Saybrook Zoning Commission, currently chairs the Old Saybrook Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission as well as the Old Saybrook Aquifer Protection Agency and is on the Old Saybrook Education Foundation Board.

1. What is the most serious problem currently facing the state of Connecticut? Why is it the most serious problem? What would you do to help solve the problem?

Affordability/Combating Global Inflation: From the price of housing to energy costs, Connecticut can be a tremendously expensive place to live. If people cannot afford to live and work here, the state cannot thrive. We need to focus on finding a solution to the affordable housing crisis that will allow towns to fill their individual housing needs, and work towards a future where energy can be reliable, affordable and sustainable. These are hard issues that will take a great deal of study and diligence to tackle. Every time residents buy their groceries or fill up at the gas pump, they feel the effects of inflation.

Fortunately, our latest budget has put us in a fantastic position to address our affordability issues head on. Not only were we able to cut taxes in our latest budget, we fully funded our rainy day fund and paid billions of dollars towards our pension liabilities, which will save us hundreds of millions of dollars in the long run. We cannot squander the opportunity. As our State Representative, I will work with the Governor and the legislature to provide economic relief by stopping runaway health insurance costs, increasing affordable housing opportunities, and putting us on the path to an energy system that does not expose us to the wild swings in fuel prices that we are currently facing. 

2. If elected/re-elected, which issues (excluding the one you have described in Q1) would be your primary focus during your term?

  • Defending Reproductive Rights: My daughter is eight years old and it horrifies me to envision a world where she will have less bodily autonomy and fewer rights than my mother, my sister and my partner had when they were making their own family planning decisions. Reproductive rights are under attack by radical forces in Washington, D.C. and across the country. With the repeal of Roe v. Wade, I’m committed to enshrining protections for abortion at the state level, so abortion continues to be legal, accessible, and safe. I will advocate for improving sexual and reproductive health and rights for all people. Make no mistake, reproductive freedom is very much on the ballot this year. Clarence Thomas explicitly said so in his Dobbs concurrence and on October 19, Mike Pence promised to take his anti-choice agenda to “every state house in America”. I promise to fight that agenda every step of the way.
  • Climate Change: The scientific community is in agreement – climate change is an existential threat and the 23rd district has three towns on Long Island Sound, putting us on the front lines of sea level rise and extreme weather. As your next representative, I’m committed to fighting for an environmentally sustainable future, so we can leave the next generations with an hospitable planet. My priorities are: improving our infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of climate change; finding ways to transition our transportation and energy systems toward carbon-free options in an economically viable way, and leveraging state and federal resources to help people afford the most sustainable technology available.
  • Gun Safety: I believe the only solution to our gun violence epidemic is to keep assault weapons off the street and to close every loophole that allows guns to fall into the wrong hands. I’ll vote to preserve common sense gun control and ensure we do everything we can to save lives while at the same time preserving safe and legal gun ownership for responsible gun owners.

3. Why are you running for this position?

After being asked to run for State Representative earlier this spring, I did some research on our current representative’s voting record. I discovered that his voting record did not match his marketing materials and I feel that his extreme positions on women’s rights, climate change and gun safety are not representative of the 23rd District’s values. Actions speak louder than words and as your State Representative, I’ll fight to make Connecticut more affordable, defend fundamental rights, combat the effects of climate change and keep lethal weapons out of dangerous hands.