NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letters of endorsement. Send endorsement letters to editor@newcanaanite.com for publication here.
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Editor:
The Connecticut General Assembly’s House of Representatives, which has its roots in the mid-17th century and was formally established in 1818, is a legislative body comprised of 151 representatives from communities or districts across our state. This year, we have a unique opportunity to vote for three impressive and experienced professionals and community advocates who will bring fresh perspectives and proven advocacy to the General Assembly.
Jason Bennett (125th District) is a local entrepreneur with a track record in economic growth and technological innovation, who has also served as a volunteer crisis counselor, a vital public service.
Savet Constantine (42nd District) has been a marketing professional and public education advocate, having served at the classroom level and as PTA president in Wilton, where she worked tirelessly to enhance educational outcomes for children.
Incumbent Representative Lucy Dathan (142nd District) has excelled as a financial executive in global investment banking and corporate finance. Since 2019, she has effectively represented New Canaan and Norwalk, contributing to key committees such as Appropriations and Human Services Committees, and the Higher Education, Conservation and Development subcommittees with a proven record of serving our community’s needs.
Together, Democrats Bennett, Constantine and Dathan are strong, engaged leaders who prioritize the values that matter to all constituents: educational excellence, gun safety, reproductive rights, and environmental stewardship. In contrast, the current Republican party has not universally supported these essential principles, especially at the top of their ticket.
Please join me in voting for Democrats on Row A, starting with Early Voting on October 21st through Election Day on November 5th. Let us ensure that our values and ideals are upheld in our community, across the state and throughout our nation.
Respectfully,
Kathleen A. Corbet
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To the Editor –
I am writing to endorse my friend, State Senator Ryan Fazio, for re-election in the 36th District. Since getting elected in 2021, Ryan has established himself as a bipartisan leader, co-authoring and passing 6 new laws despite being in the minority party. These laws included increased local control of planning and zoning, expanded access to birth control and stronger oversight of our state’s utilities.
Ryan knows this community having spent countless hours attending meetings and events, and listening to the concerns of voters regardless of party. If you vote for Ryan, you can trust that he will energetically and effectively represent New Canaan’s genuine interests in Hartford over the next two years.
You may have seen in your mailbox a mailer from Ryan’s well-funded opponent claiming that he has “extremist” positions on issues like abortion and assault weapons. These are hyperbolic claims that don’t align with Ryan’s actual record. They are also an attempt to distract you. Here are the facts – in Connecticut, abortion is legal and assault weapons are banned and both will remain so. Ryan Fazio has been clear that he has no interest in changing the status quo on either issue.
His opponent is hoping the voters of New Canaan focus on these shiny objects rather than on the real issues at hand. The Democrats currently hold 24 of the 36 seats in the Connecticut State Senate. If they are able to flip Ryan’s seat while holding the rest, they will have 25 of 36 seats – a veto-proof supermajority in the State Senate. They are close to achieving the same in the Connecticut General Assembly. With a supermajority, there will be absolutely nothing that Governor Lamont or the Republican legislators can do to stop the Democrats in the legislature from enacting laws.
What are some of the bills that the Democrats have pushed in recent legislative sessions? There are so many bad ideas but here are a few of the highlights – school regionalization; a statewide property tax; Live Work Ride and Fair Share, housing bills that would completely override our local planning and zoning laws. These are not the interests of New Canaan voters. Ryan’s opponent is hoping you focus on abortion, which Is not under threat in Connecticut, and assault weapons, which are and will remain banned under Connecticut’s stringent gun laws, instead of the things that should matter to you most – your schools, your town and your taxes.
Vote for Ryan Fazio for State Senate in the 36th District this November. He knows this town. He understands our concerns. He will get things done while protecting our interests in Hartford.
Sincerely,
Chris Wilson
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Dear New Canaanite Editor,
I am writing to express my strong support for Tom O’Dea’s re-election to the Connecticut House of Representatives. A seasoned legislator and Deputy Leader of the Minority of the Assembly with over a decade of experience representing our district; Tom has consistently demonstrated his commitment to addressing crucial issues that affect our community.
Tom O’Dea has been a vocal advocate for reforming Connecticut’s 8-30g affordable housing statute. This year he successfully added amendments to House Bill 5474 to reform 8-30g which will have a direct impact on our town. He recognizes that while affordable housing is essential for strengthening our community, the current law is not achieving its intended goals. Tom has proposed several changes to improve the effectiveness of 8-30g, including fighting against its use by predatory builders and focusing on genuine affordable housing solutions.
Furthermore, Tom has been instrumental in securing funding for local infrastructure upgrades in our town. He led the effort to secure $2 million in state funding for the renovation our Playhouse. His work on the Transportation Committee has directly contributed to improving our community’s infrastructure, ensuring that our roads, bridges, and public facilities are well-maintained and equipped to meet the needs of our growing population.
Tom has delivered tangible results for our town. His nuanced understanding of complex issues and ability to work across the aisle on issues like affordable housing and infrastructure makes him our invaluable asset in the Connecticut House of Representatives. I urge you to support Tom O’Dea in the upcoming election to take on the most pressing challenges on behalf of New Canaan.
Sincerely,
Matthew Guadagno
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It is time for a change in the 125th State House District. We need a new face, new ideas and new solutions to meet the challenges that our state and town face. Jason Bennett will be a change agent in Hartford. As a tech entrepreneur and a business owner, he understands the importance of economic growth for the well-being of our state and the key role that businesses, large and small, play in generating that growth. Given his tech background, including leading the technology team at multiple companies, he has the skills and experience to help shape policies that optimize the digital economy in both the public and private sector.
Jason is the father of one six-year-old and two three-year-old daughters. He is passionate about ensuring that Connecticut remains a great place for them to grow up. Maintaining an excellent school system is a key part of his agenda; he believes in local control of schools. Improving gun safety in our schools and society at large is another issue that he will pursue in Hartford. Jason has received an “A” grade from the gun safety advocacy group, CT Against Gun Violence.
An additional important priority for Jason is to protect the environment and the state’s natural resources. Unlike the incumbent, he knows that climate change is for real and is prepared to say so. Jason will actively contribute to policies and legislation that protect our communities from the significant challenges caused by more frequent, stronger storms and the ensuing flooding that we experience because of climate change.
Jason supports the work of the town’s Affordable Housing Committee, including its strategy to obtain continuing moratoria from 8-30g requirements. He recognizes that this decades-old law is imperfect and that the acute need for additional affordable housing in Connecticut cannot be solved in New Canaan alone. He will work in Hartford to improve 8-30g and to find other creative solutions to the housing shortage.
Please vote for Jason Bennett for the 125th State House District.
Angela Jameson
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To the Editor –
I’m writing in support of Tom O’Dea and Ryan Fazio for their respective seats in Hartford. And it’s got nothing to do with their positions on abortion, climate change, or any one issue. It’s about temperament and decency.
Tom is quite simply one of the best human beings in town. I got to know him when I ran for public office in 2021, and I believe he is the model for how public servants should behave and speak to one another. His reputation for bipartisanship is well-known, and his commitment to New Canaan is unwavering.
Ryan is as impressive a State Senator as New Canaan could ever ask for. He’s whip-smart, well-prepared, and never raises his voice. He’s risen through the ranks in Hartford by doing his work, forging relationships, and always interacting with opponents and constituents in a civil manner. It would be an absolute shame to lose him.
In this day and age, the grass always seems to be greener on the other side. I struggle to see how that’s possible when it comes to Tom and Ryan. They’re the best among us, and we’re lucky to have them.
Phil Hogan
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Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my strong support for Nick Simmons in his campaign for State Senate.
Nick has a clear vision for how to build a more prosperous future for all of us in the 36th District—by lowering taxes, growing the economy, and ensuring fiscal responsibility in Hartford. His commitment to passing balanced budgets and adhering to the fiscal guardrails that have brought Connecticut back from financial instability shows he’s ready to lead.
Nick’s track record speaks for itself. As a senior member of Governor Ned Lamont’s administration, he played a pivotal role in paying down record state pension debt, delivering the largest tax cut in our state’s history, and helping grow the rainy-day fund to new highs. These achievements have restored confidence in Connecticut’s financial health, with leading agencies like Fitch and Moody’s upgrading our bond outlook from “stable” to “positive.”
As a Ned Lamont Democrat, Nick is focused on economic growth and prosperity. He understands that we need more taxpayers, not more taxes, to keep our state thriving. The hardworking people of Greenwich, Stamford, and New Canaan deserve a representative who will fight for fiscal discipline and a brighter future. Nick Simmons is that candidate.
Best,
Joan Thakor
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To the Editor:
All New Canaan residents should show up November 5th and make sure to vote for Ryan Fazio, regardless of party affiliation. Ryan is quite literally the sole bulwark standing between New Canaan local control and a super-majority, veto proof state Senate. Without Fazio’s influence and votes in the Senate, Connecticut citizens will have no clock on the economic, zoning and educational illiteracy that plagues our fellow super-majority Democratic states like New York, New Jersey, California, Illinois and Oregon – the worse performing educational and economic states in the Union. A vote for Fazio is a vote to preserve our zoning laws, and local control in our educational system. A vote for Fazio is a vote to push back on the mad rush by Connecticut progressives to hike takes and push top down education measures that have produced worse results year after year for the past 20 years.
We proudly endorse the track record of Ryan Fazio and encourage all New Canaanites to cast their votes to re-elect Ryan this coming November
– Carras and Katie Holmstead
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I am writing in support of Nick Simmons for CT State Senate District 36, which includes Greenwich, much of Stamford and much of New Canaan. I am a 20-year New Canaan resident. Having spent time with Nick and learning his background and policies I can wholeheartedly endorse him.
Nick has spent nearly his entire life in Connecticut and our district, except when he chose to leave a budding career on Wall Street to teach in an inner-city school in Harlem, and then again when he left to get a dual MBA/Public Policy Masters at Harvard. And, yes, the Biden administration did ask him to do a short stint in the Department of Education.
He, like most of us in this district, is a fiscal conservative. He wants to keep our taxes as low as possible, and thanks to his strong connections in Hartford (he was deputy chief of staff to Governor Lamont), is committed to bringing investment dollars from Hartford to our district. I’d rather have an insider arguing on our behalf than someone in the minority.
While I think Nick demonstrates all the qualities in someone who can represent us well – compassion, smarts, exceedingly strong work ethic, I also think he stands for other issues relative to his opponent that are important to people in the district.
In terms of gun control, his opponent, Ryan Fazio, voted against HB6667 which was a commonsense gun control bill. He also voted against HB 5414, where Connecticut was the first in the nation to pass such a bill, which protect providers of abortion services from legal repercussions by other states, and shields women who come to CT for abortions. Of course, these measures passed here in Connecticut, but why go on record against these bills other than to establish his MAGA bona fides?
I support Nick Simmons as a common sense, hardworking, compassionate, fiscal conservative who will represent us well in Hartford.
Alan Badanes
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By electing Savet Constantine as the 42nd District’s state representative, New Canaan, Wilton and Ridgefield would be served in the General Assembly by someone who is extremely knowledgeable on educational issues; favors an economic model based on attracting taxpayers to the district, rather than raising taxes; and wants to ensure our towns remain affordable both for seniors and young adults. Our towns would be well-served with Savet Constantine in the General Assembly.
With her dedication and experience based on having served as president of Wilton Parent Teacher Associations both at the middle school and high school levels, she would serve our educational priorities in the General Assembly with the expertise she acquired in those roles. Savet had leadership roles on the PTAs in their advisory roles for the school budgets motivated by an unwavering commitment to maintaining and improving upon the schools’ reputation for educational excellence. She led in those roles by encouraging community involvement to represent and reflect what the community wanted.
In her campaign appearances, she defines herself as a pro-business Democrat, who will make fiscal decisions aimed at making the state more affordable by attracting business to the state, rather than raising taxes on those of us who are already here.
As a mother who volunteered to ensure her children benefitted from a strong education foundation, and as a daughter with aging parents, she understands the challenges confronting residents as they navigate the needs required for the “sandwich” generation. For that reason, she promises to be accessible as a legislator, to hear what the issues confronting her constituents are and help them with solutions the state can provide.
And while Connecticut has a positive record in protecting women’s reproductive freedom, as attacks on that freedom continue at the federal level, Savet knows we cannot take that freedom for granted. For fifty years, federal laws protected those rights, until they didn’t. Savet will remain alert to and will oppose any effort to restrict women’s rights to make their own healthcare decisions.
Richard Lurie
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To the Editor:
By electing Jason Bennett, voters in the House 125th district have the opportunity to bring a smart, enthusiastic, forward-thinking individual to represent New Canaan, Darien and Stamford.
As a Democrat, Jason would be a forceful, new voice in the General Assembly, speaking for women’s reproductive rights, bolstering support for our terrific schools, valuing the need to protect the environment as the impact of climate change is increasingly evident, and, as a businessman, backing initiatives to grow the economy.
In recent remarks in before various crowds, Jason spoke of how he finds the motivation to give back to the community as a husband and father of three young daughters. He speaks of how he wants them to grow up in a community that’s safe, that provides children with a strong education and allows women to make their own decisions about their health and reproductive options.
As a chief technology officer and the owner of a local business, he knows the everyday challenges businesses face and how to work collaboratively, a skill he would bring to the legislature, to solve problems. In another context, he shows his compassion and empathy through his volunteer work as a crisis counselor, helping individuals facing mental health challenges.
His personality, his knowledge and his willingness to listen to what voters in the district need make him an ideal candidate, one that would be an articulate, fresh voice in the General Assembly. I’m voting for Jason Bennett in this election and I hope you will, too.
Mary Singh
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We are encouraged by the bi-partisan local signage support for Tom O’Dea and endorse his re-election as State Representative. Many New Canaan citizens are familiar with Tom’s legislative efforts and success since he has been a representative – he is unique in his ability to work with bi-partisan legislators to pass laws as well as deftly avoid highly progressive and destructive to New Canaan interests from becoming law in a one-party dominated legislature. Re-electing Tom O’Dea is best way to protect our local interests, especially the interests most prominent among New Canaan concerns: local control of zoning and educational autonomy. Representative O’Dea has shown, both as an elected officially and in local volunteer sporting efforts, that he is uniquely qualified to represent our town at the state level
Carras and Katie Holmstead
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As we approach this critical election, the decisions we make at every level—local, state, and federal—will shape our future. We have the power to elect leaders who will drive us forward with collaboration and unity or risk choosing those who sow division and inequality.
If you want a State Senate candidate who stands by his principles and brings truth to power in a way that empowers us all, then Nick Simmons is the clear choice. Nick’s values—truth, integrity, authenticity, and transparency—align with the work of Governor Ned Lamont, State Representatives Rachel Khanna, Steve Meskers, and Hector Arzeno. He is the candidate who will ensure progress for Connecticut.
His leadership is essential in addressing the critical issues we face: economic growth, healthcare, public safety, and more. He supports targeted tax relief for working families and small businesses, paired with smart investments to fuel economic growth. His plan creates new revenue streams while fostering job creation.
Nick believes in a woman’s right to choose and pledges to support legislation that protects reproductive health services. He also advocates for reducing healthcare costs through legislation to cap prescription drug prices, expanding access to affordable insurance, and supporting preventive care programs. He’s committed to addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in underserved communities.
On public safety, Nick is pushing for initiatives to combat gun trafficking, boost funding for violence prevention programs, and enhance the enforcement of existing laws—all while respecting Second Amendment rights.
Nick is a unifier. He brings people together to build a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Connecticut, nurturing our families and communities with a shared sense of humanity.
On November 5th, I urge you to vote for Nick Simmons and Row A for the 36th State Senate District.
Sincerely,
Marianne Schorer