Jan Giegler wins reelection in 138th district



Jan Giegler won reelection Tuesday to the 138^th assembly district in an uncontested election.

Giegler, a Republican, first won the seat in 2002. She is married with one son, 23. Despite the lack of competition, Giegler spent most of the day outside Danbury High School, standing with neighbors carrying Giegler placards who have worked on her campaigns for the last eight years.

"I've known her since our days at King Street School," said Maryann Hanrahan, who has a son Matthew, a junior at Danbury High School. Matthew Hanrahan chairs the schools' Young Republicans Club.

Giegler said the entire legislative experience has been educational for her. Giegler is the State Director of "Women in Government," a national organization that works on behalf of issues that benefit woman. Among its issues are statewide efforts to work toward prevention and cures for cervical cancer and to improve access to higher education.

Giegler said when she joined the legislature in 2003, the first year she was sworn in, the assembly had 57 Republican members, and this year it only had 37. With that few members, the Democrats didn't include the Republicans in important discussions, Giegler said.

"We're not invited to the budget discussion," Giegler said. "If we pick up a number of seats in this election, we could get a better balance on committees."

On Clapboard Ridge Road, the state installed a traffic light at the Beckerle Street intersection. Giegler said that effort alone took five years.

"We're grassroots friends. I know she's someone who can do it," said Beth Whitly of Old Hayrake Road.