Municipal Leaders Endorse Rob Blanchard For State Senate

Information from the campaign of Rob Blanchard for State Senate:

FAIRFIELD, CT — Today, municipal leaders from Bethel, Easton, Fairfield, and Newtown endorsed Rob Blanchard to be their next senator for the 28th District. In voicing their support, they emphasized Blanchard’s commitment to fighting for increased municipal aid and bonding, addressing affordability, collaborating with small businesses, and strengthening access to healthcare, including reproductive care.

The local leaders highlighted Blanchard’s record of addressing key issues facing Connecticut residents professionally, personally, and as an elected leader with a fresh perspective. While serving in Governor Ned Lamont’s administration during the height of the pandemic, Rob helped lead communications to local leaders, business owners, and the public. He currently works with Comptroller Sean Scanlon as his chief of staff to help ensure healthcare is more affordable, and as a local elected official, has worked to hold the line on property taxes.

“Through my experience serving at the local level on municipal boards and commissions, I’ve seen firsthand some of the challenges facing our communities. Now more than ever, residents of Bethel, Easton, Fairfield, and Newtown need a collaborative leader who will advocate tirelessly for better municipal aid and bonding support for critical local projects during next year’s budget negotiations,” said Blanchard. “The communities in the 28th State Senate District have incredible schools, beautiful neighborhoods, and small businesses. But, they are each dealing with unique issues around development, property taxes, education costs, and traffic. I’ll work to ensure local leaders have a partner at the state level who will advocate on their behalf and deliver the funding needed to keep property taxes predictable and reasonable for seniors, families, and businesses.”

“Rob has the experience and relationships needed to help bring funding back to Fairfield, will work with our delegation to stand up to United Illuminating and their invasive monopole proposal and will collaborate with my administration to find ways to make our streets more pedestrian-friendly,” said Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber. “As my administration works to make Fairfield the best possible town it can be, I look forward to having Rob as a continued partner in that effort and am proud to support him as our next state senator.”

“As someone who knows how valuable investments in education are to our community, I know we can count on Rob to work collaboratively as our state senator with the Gerber-Vitale administration to ensure our schools are strong and that Fairfield is an attractive and affordable community for all ages,” said Fairfield Selectman Christine Vitale.

“Rob has taken the time to meet with Easton's community leaders to hear about the issues and concerns that matter most in our town,” said Easton First Selectman Dave Bindelglass. “I’m supporting Rob because he understands the importance of keeping our communities affordable for seniors, families, and business owners. Rob knows that our farms, trails, parks, and beaches are some of this district’s greatest assets, and he’ll work to prioritize environmental sustainability and preservation.”

“Like me, Rob began serving locally at a younger age while also building relationships with state leaders and agencies that will allow us to collaborate on ways to preserve open space, safeguard our reservoir, and support our farming community,” said Easton Selectman Nick D’Addario. “From young families like mine to seniors in Easton, Rob will be a true advocate for our community."

"Rob is committed to being an advocate for Newtown and supporting our quality of life, open space, and schools. He’ll also work with our community to ensure that Fairfield Hills Campus becomes the asset that we want it to be,” said Newtown Selectman Michelle Embree Ku.

“Before even stepping up to run, Rob contacted me as a newly elected member of Newtown's Board of Selectmen to ask what was important to my fellow residents. The fact that he felt it was necessary to find out what is important to the towns he wants to represent before officially throwing his hat in the ring impressed me immensely. I believe that with his years of experience in public service and dedication, he will be able to help address what is important for Newtown, whether it is education, open space, or anything else," said Newtown Selectman Dan Cruson.

“Rob will work with our community and state leaders to build on the smart investments we’ve made in education, enhance our town’s sustainability, and be a strong voice in ensuring Bethel isn’t unfairly burdened by development that isn’t strategically thought out,” said Former Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker.

After launching his campaign in January, Blanchard reached the fundraising requirement needed to qualify for Connecticut’s Citizens’ Elections Program (CEP) in February. Blanchard’s grassroots campaign was supported by nearly 400 donors – 85% of which live in Bethel, Easton, Fairfield, and Newtown – with an average contribution of $45. Blanchard has already begun going door-to-door to meet voters.

###

About Rob Blanchard, candidate for Connecticut’s 28th State Senate District
Rob Blanchard, a member of Fairfield’s RTM, brings a unique background of public and private sector experience to the campaign. Rob is running to address the high-cost of living in Connecticut by ensuring taxes remain stable and predictable for seniors and fighting for increased municipal aid, so local leaders aren’t faced with raising property taxes or reducing education funding. Rob will work closely with the business community to ensure they have access to the resources and support needed to grow and thrive. Rob will fight to create a strong workforce that attracts, retains and trains the next generation of workers, while collaborating with employers and universities to strengthen the state’s talent pipeline. Rob resides in Fairfield with his wife, Samantha, and their two dogs, Winslow and Penelope.