Mar 27, 2008
Toni Boucher's statement on the coming race
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I am pleased to see that the race for the 143rd District will be receiving increased public attention this election cycle now that an opponent has stepped forward. The excitement and focus generated by presidential races can often direct attention away from our local state house seats. It also provides a great opportunity for a new generation of voters to know their State Representative, the issues important to our district and the different policy positions taken by those vying for the seat.
I welcome the opportunity to debate the important issues facing our state with my opponent, but I must say that I am deeply disappointed that she has chosen to begin the process with a decidedly negative tone.
I know that she has had a great deal of interest in this seat as shown by her work on the various committees of my previous opponents. However, I am saddened to learn that she is running because “we need leaders who are respected, honest, open and transparent” and that “it is essential that we have a state representative who is not afraid of new ideas, who listens to her constituents and represents our needs in Hartford.”
This statement is truly puzzling as being direct, honest, transparent and a fighter for her constituents is a reputation that I have earned through a long record of many successful battles for the benefit of our district. In addition, the latest battle was won under tremendous odds.
I was one of the principle architects of the “no tax increase budget” last session that could have devastated our state and put us in a deficit situation. At that time, it was very difficult to convince the majority of the difficult times ahead but we persevered and won the day. My opponent also infers that the many years of listening to my constituents and successfully championing their important causes should be overlooked by those I consider friends and colleagues.
This is truly partisan politics that I did not expect, especially given the years of public service as a Board of Education chairperson, a member of the Board of Selectmen, as the State of Connecticut Board of Education Policy Chairman and as a leader of numerous General Assembly committees.
With that said, I look forward to the opportunity to engage in what I hope will be a high level of discourse, one that will be a positive contrast to our national politics.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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