Connecticut Voters Guide: CT State House District 139: Ryan vs. Adams
The Nov. 5 presidential election will also include races for both houses of the Connecticut General Assembly. Voters in Connecticut are permitted to participate in early voting, but are restricted in the reasons they can vote by absentee ballot.
The 139th district of the Connecticut State House will feature a rematch of the 2022 race that featured Democratic incumbent Kevin Ryan (D-Montville) and Republican challenger Mark Adams. The newly redrawn district includes parts of Ledyard, Montville and of Norwich. Ryan has held his seat in the CT General Assembly since 1993.
The Connecticut State House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Connecticut General Assembly. There are 36 state senators, and 151 state representatives. The salary for state representatives and state senators is $40,000, a figure that was increased from $28,000 in 2023.
Mark Adams
Name: Mark Adams
Age: 51
City of residence: Norwich
Political experience: Previously ran for this same position, State Representative of the 139th District, two years ago and lost by 474 votes.
Why are you running? For over three decades my opponent, Kevin Ryan, has had a front row seat to the downward slide of our quality of life here and has produced no real solutions to our issues and has done little to nothing to help stop or revive it. He's taken this position for granted for too long and only serves to be a "Yea" vote for his party. There's a lack of leadership, initiative, engagement and Representation currently coming from that seat. His last proposed bill (Bill # 5480) was an act to allow children 12 years of age and older to receive vaccines without parental or guardian consent. That's the type of danger and irresponsibility currently representing the 139th District.
I believe we deserve better, stronger, responsive leadership. I'll bring my background in small business management and public safety with me to Hartford. But more importantly, I'll bring the everyday problems that families, like mine, struggle with in our district. Record high inflation, tax increases, affordability, rising crime rates, parental choice, improvement in our schools, and small business protection plans. These are some of the issues that personally affect my family.
Selfishly, if I go to Hartford everyday to fight for a more affordable, safer CT that protects parental and women's choices, helps small business owners and supports retirees, seniors and our Vets, just for my family, I will be going to work for everyone in our community. That's representation! That's leadership! That's some of what I'll be fighting for every day for everyone.
What three bills would be your priority this term? Affordability, Public Safety, Parental Choice
Campaign website: markadamsforct.com
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Kevin Ryan
Name: Kevin Ryan
Age: 72
City of residence: Oakdale
Political experience: Montville Board of Education, Current State Representative 139th District
Why are you running? To continue to serve the residents of the district as I have in the past by representing them at the state capital and helping them with constituent issues. My votes have reflected the wishes of the citizens of the district, on labor issues, healthcare, public safety and education.
What three bills would be your priority this term? 1) Work to lower prescription drug prices. 2) Legislation that broadens the use of the treatment Narcan and making awareness for resources available. 3) Work to support tax cuts for working and middle class people.
Campaign website: www.RepRyan.com
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Connecticut 139th House District candidates: Adams vs. Ryan
