Republicans Abrams, Hoxha Vying For 78th House District State Rep Seat

By Dean Wright, The Bristol Press

August 3, 2022

With the Connecticut primary election quickly approaching Aug. 9, Republicans Aileen Abrams and Joe Hoxha are vying to become the next state representative of the 78th House District.

Long occupied by Whit Betts, who chose to not seek reelection, the 78th House District seat contains Plymouth and portions of Bristol.

Hoxha received the endorsement of Bristol and Plymouth Republicans in late May. Both debated one another at the Plymouth Town Hall in early March on a variety of issues such as housing, police accountability, mental health and more.

“I believe it’s important to be a proactive member of the legislature and not just a reactive member that votes yes or no along party lines,” Abrams previously told the Press. “I intend to propose meaningful legislation for the benefit of the entire community, not a select few. I will defend the inherent rights of all our Connecticut taxpayers. We must not let the current leadership take guardianship over the people’s state.”

Born in Hartford to parents from Peru and Puerto Rico, Abrams’ family moved to Newington in search of what the candidate called better educational opportunities. Becoming a nursing assistant, she eventually took on different sales roles throughout her mid-20s before partnering to open a Merchant Cash Advance Office. As she worked with small businesses throughout the state, she would eventually include contract work within her wheelhouse as well as spend time as a small business banker. Currently, Abrams is a director of market research with the legal recruiting firm, Mark Bruce International, in Manhattan. She is also an alternate member of the Bristol Zoning Commission.

“Plymouth and Bristol have always been and will be close to my heart. We now need to unify as a party and look towards November where we need to make sure we usher in a new generation of leaders to save our great state, because this may be the last chance we have to do so,” Hoxha said previously.

Hoxha is a University of Connecticut graduate with a pair of degrees in sociology as well as political science. Traveling through the states of Connecticut, Texas, New Hampshire, Missouri and Virginia, he worked on several Republican campaigns. Working in the finance industry, he also has sat on the Republican State Central Committee. Hoxha’s family moved to the U.S. from Albania when he was three and settled in Bristol. A graduate of Bristol Central High School, Hoxha said he has lived in the West End and played soccer and wrestled in school. He took interest in U.S. history and politics at a young age and spent many hours reading presidential biographies.

Hoxha has said he wants to return power back to parents pertaining to their child’s education, hold state government accountable, halt critical race theory being taught in public schools and see stronger infrastructure and educational support in smaller towns. The candidate has also said he wants to address the state’s high cost of living and crime.

Abrams expressed the desire to return rights to families in decision making for their children, provide stronger support for law enforcement and change laws that she feels hurt landlords and homeowners. She also said she felt it was important to support community hospitals to assist area residents and avoid monopolizing health organizations.