We Need Change; That Means New Leadership

I’m Merry Garrett. I’m a retired director of regulatory insurance technology, a small business owner, and a mom. I’ve lived in Eastern Connecticut my entire life, and I’ve been in Tolland for over 20 years. I’ve always been very involved in the community, and I’ve come to realize we need real, meaningful change.

Have you ever thought about the lack of full-service regional hospitals? Or how our electric bills and property taxes keep going up? If you’re a parent, have you worried about teacher layoffs at your child’s school or if your children will be able to afford housing in the 35th District when they’re older? Have you worried about whether the needs of our seniors, parents, and veterans are met? I have, and I’ve realized many of these issues come down to the same thing: our towns have been overlooked and underfunded by the state.

Part of the problem is we haven’t had a committed, effective, responsive advocate in the State Senate. Our current state senator keeps voting against our best interests. He voted against expanding paid sick leave for workers and helping people take action if their employer doesn’t pay them. He voted against removing bureaucratic red tape and making it easier to build housing. He even voted against using money the federal government gave Connecticut to help people access HUSKY and cover home care for our seniors. Research my opponent’s poor voting record - it does not lie. Look at his votes on HB5474, HB5424, SB222, SB4, and other legislation. He has repeatedly voted against our district’s interests — in some instances, he did not care enough to vote at all!

I’ve always been an advocate for our community, but I’m not a lifetime politician or someone who’s sat on a committee for years without making significant positive changes. We need someone who will go to Hartford and fight for the needs of our community. Therefore, I’m running for state senate as someone who will put the interests of our community first. I am and always will be on your side.

We need a senator willing to stand up and fight to get our fair share of state funding and grants so we can stabilize property taxes. Our schools and regional hospitals do not need more cuts; they need more resources, which the state can provide. We need to make sure we take care of our seniors and veterans and plan for our children’s futures by investing in infrastructure and housing without losing the beauty of our 13 towns of Ashford, Chaplin, Coventry, Eastford, Ellington, Hampton, Stafford, Thompson, Tolland, Union, Vernon, Willington & Woodstock. As your next state senator, I will work for everyone in the district, not just the few.

Vote for me, Merry C. Garrett, and our district will no longer be an afterthought.