CT Patch Candidate Profile: Heather Somers For State Senate

GROTON, CT — The 2024 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the presidential election at the top of the ticket, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs.

Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

State Sen. Heather Somers is running for reelection in the 18th District, which includes Griswold, Groton, Sterling, Voluntown, Stonington, North Stonington, Plainfield, and Preston.

Candidate’s Name: Heather Somers

What office are you seeking? State Senate

District: 18

What city or town do you live in? Groton

Party affiliation: Republican

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Economics, University of Connecticut

Occupation: Somers has served as the state senator for the 18th district, delivering results for Eastern Connecticut and challenging the status quo in Hartford, since January 2017. Before serving in the State Senate, Somers served as a town councilor in Groton and as mayor of the Town of Groton. Somers was a co-founder of a biotech company and was the recipient of the Medical Device Excellence Award (2000) and a Silver Award Winner for the Connecticut Women of Innovation Awards (2007).

Family: Somers has three children, one granddaughter, many beloved pets, and currently resides in Mystic.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Age: 58

Why are you seeking this office?

It is an immense honor to represent the hardworking people of the 18th district, deliver results that strengthen our eastern Connecticut communities and challenge the status quo in Hartford to hold our state government accountable to all its citizens. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the confidence voters in the 18th district have placed in me to represent them in Hartford, and I look forward to once again earning that trust again in November.

What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?

We must make Connecticut more affordable, starting by tackling the unacceptable rise in electricity costs being imposed on Connecticut families, seniors and small businesses, and create the conditions for greater prosperity in our communities by reducing unnecessary red tape that constrains economic growth, rolling back our state’s punitive tax burden and supporting a strong workforce and occupational training pipeline.

There have been an alarming number of deaths on Connecticut's roadways. Is there anything from a legislative standpoint that can be done to address that?

I have led the fight to install technology on eastern Connecticut roads to prevent wrong-way driving accidents, pushed the Department of Transportation to do more to address safety concerns, and stood with law enforcement so they have the support and resources needed to keep roadways safe.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Representation matters,” Somers continued. “From Mystic to Moosup, from Pawcatuck to Jewett City, from the Stonington Borough to Sterling, from Groton City to Voluntown, and across every 18th district community, I’m honored to fight for our amazing corner of Connecticut and deliver results.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I look forward to building on a demonstrated track record of fighting with an independent and effective voice to improve the lives of all the residents in the district. I will continue to push to tackle out-of-control electricity costs, reduce Connecticut’s punitive tax burden, support the growth and competitiveness of small businesses, promote greater access to affordable quality health care, advocate for strong schools that uphold the rights of parents and prepare students for success, be creative in housing solutions, further develop our workforce pipeline, support our police and safe communities, and expose mismanagement and corruption at all levels of government.