Somers named a chief deputy Senate Republican leader

Dec. 28—GROTON — Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly has named Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, as one of the chief deputy Senate Republican leader for the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions, after naming her deputy Republican Senate leader for the past two.

When senators are sworn in on Wednesday, the 36-member body will include 12 Republicans, and Kelly earlier this month said he is appointing five as chief deputy leaders: Somers, Eric Berthel, Tony Hwang, John A. Kissel and Henri Martin.

Somers' office announced Wednesday that she has been named a chief deputy Senate Republican leader. For the 2021 and 2022 sessions, Kissel held the chief role along with senators Kevin Witkos and Craig Miner, neither of whom sought re-election.

In a press release, Somers cited her admiration of other Republican women elevated to leadership positions in the state Senate: Adela "Del" Eads, and more recently Cathy Cook and Toni Boucher.

"These women have been role models for me," Somers said. "In this new leadership role, I hope to further strengthen that legacy, and I thank Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly for placing his confidence in me to help lead our caucus."

Somers also focused on her work on women's rights, citing her support of legislation to codify essential health benefits for women into state law, and her advocacy to improve access to early screenings for heart disease, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

She also serves as ranking member of the Public Health Committee, and sits on the Appropriations, Commerce, and Executive and Legislative Nominations committees. She will lead the bipartisan Tourism Caucus next year.

Somers urged taxpayers to contact her at Heather.Somers@cga.ct.gov "with thoughts and ideas for future legislation which can help improve the quality of life for everyone here in Connecticut."