Meet Heather Somers, Republican candidate for Connecticut's District 18 state senator

Election Day in Connecticut is Nov. 8, when dozens of candidates will vie for positions in federal and state offices. Several cities and towns will ask local questions on the ballot in addition the statewide question about early voting.

The Norwich Bulletin sent questionnaires to candidates running for several state seats in Eastern Connecticut. The Bulletin is running their answers with edits only for grammar or if a candidate wrote over the word limit and did not resubmit a shorter version by deadline.

Two candidates will appear on the ballot for Connecticut's State Senate District 18, which includes Griswold, Groton, North Stonington, Plainfield, Preston, Sterling and Stonington. State Senator Heather Somers is the incumbent and Republican candidate. Hotel General Manager Farouk Rajab is the Democratic candidate.

Democratic candidate answersMeet Farouk Rajab, Democratic candidate for Connecticut's District 18 state senator

Name: Heather Somers

Campaign website: www.heathersomers.com

Profession: State Senator

What makes you the best candidate to represent District 18?

It is an incredible honor to represent the hardworking families of the 18th district and I look forward to building on my demonstrated track record of delivering results for our region, challenging the status quo by holding Hartford accountable and fighting with an independent voice for a stronger, more prosperous Connecticut for all families.

As your state senator, I am working to combat inflation, reduce out-of-control gas and energy costs, improve access to affordable, quality health care, safeguard and strengthen health care for women, hold public agencies accountable and roll back Connecticut’s punitive tax burden.

I am leading the mission for a comprehensive approach to address the mental health needs of our citizens, with a detailed focus on children, while continuing to work with superintendents to ensure schools have the resources required to maintain local control of decisions that impact our students — including protecting the critical rights of parents.

In Hartford, I use my experience in business and as a local municipal leader to fight for small businesses and get things done for the unique and incredible communities of the 18th district.

I strive to be a tireless and effective advocate for Eastern Connecticut and am proud of my record of results, including passing legislation to repeal taxes on retirement income and diesel fuel, protect the environment, prevent damaging cuts to education, combat the opioid epidemic, prioritize women’s health, protect women from sexual harassment and domestic violence, provide care for first responders with PTSD and more.

I’m also not afraid to hold Hartford and powerful entities accountable. I led the charge to expose the mismanagement at the Connecticut Port Authority and demanded a public hearing to hold those in charge accountable. This year, I introduced legislation to ensure the state’s Contracting Board be fully funded and moved to the State Auditor office to enable them to continue to be able to review contracts sought by the Port Authority along with other no bid contracts.

I am proud of my work to cut through the noise and advance solutions to deliver tax relief, protect parents’ rights, lower health care costs, support small businesses, keep communities safe and hold Hartford and quasi-public agencies accountable to the taxpayers and consumers. I am humbly asking the voters of the 18th district for their vote, so I can continue fighting for them.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing your district, and how would you solve it?

Affordability and economic growth. Eastern Connecticut families and small businesses face enormous challenges with historic inflation, a punitive tax burden and an anti-business attitude emanating from one-party control in Hartford. To combat Connecticut’s tax burden and provide relief from rising costs, I worked across party lines to deliver a $600 million tax cut, successfully eliminated retirement taxes for seniors and fought to stop property tax increases. I also helped expand the child tax credit, secured a suspension of the gas tax amid skyrocketing prices, and successfully cut taxes on diesel fuel.

I’ve also helped unleash sustainable energy production right here in Eastern Connecticut and held monopolistic power companies and quasi-public utilities accountable — to help address out-of-control energy costs and protect ratepayers.

But there is much more to be done. We must do more to lower taxes in Connecticut and continue to be vigilant to stop future tax hikes. We must also do more to support small businesses and foster opportunity in our communities.

I’ve worked to support our small businesses by fighting to repeal onerous regulations, taxes, and fees. I’ve also worked with local leaders and businesses to ensure we expand workforce training opportunities.

We must also make health care more affordable while expanding access to quality care. That’s why I’ve introduced a plan to lower prescription drug costs and solutions to support innovation in our health care system that can bring down costs.

I’m also incredibly proud to have secured landmark legislation to combat the opioid epidemic and passed solutions to ensure first responders with PTSD get the care they deserve. I’ve also passed solutions to safeguard and expand access to health care for women and introduced a comprehensive approach to address mental health, with a detailed focus on children.

With independent-minded leadership and a focus on delivering results, we can tackle these challenges, make Connecticut more affordable and our communities more prosperous. If given the honor of continuing to serve the people of the 18th district, I will continue to challenge the status quo in Hartford, fight for lower taxes, work to reduce the cost of quality health care and support greater opportunity and prosperity for hardworking Eastern Connecticut families and small businesses.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Heather Somers Q&A: Republican candidate for CT Senate District 18