People of Bethel and Ridgefield can take a sigh of relief as their State Senator for the 26th district is calling it quits.
Calling her 22-year career as State Senator for the 26th District “challenging but very rewarding,” Judith Freedman, 69, of Westport, announced she would not seek re-election this fall.
On the steps of Wilton Town Hall Monday morning, flanked by long-time supporters, fellow legislators and friends, Ms. Freedman endorsed the candidacy of State Rep. Toni Boucher, 58, of the 143rd District in Wilton and Norwalk, to replace her.
“There are always compelling reasons to make one want to stay in this job, but this is the time for me to move ahead and for someone else to take up the torch,” Sen. Freedman said. “After a great deal of thought, soul searching and consultation with my husband, I have decided not to seek re-election for the State Senate.”
“I am proud of the record I forged on your behalf. Whatever I have done, it has always been with and for the people of the 26th,” she added.
Hartwell, former Congressional district coordinator for Howard Dean and treasurer for Ned Lamont, attracted attention recently when he reached goal needed to qualify for public financing under Connecticut's new Citizen Election Program. He was also interviewed on the local access show "Bethel Today" last week and for those who want to know more about him, I'll post that show here later this week.
Matt over at My Left Nutmeg has more on today's "official" announcement including what this means for Boucher's State Rep. seat.
UPDATE: The John Hartwell campaign released the following statement regarding Freedman's retirement:
I'd like to thank Senator Freedman for her years of service to the 26th District, and particularly for her work advancing educational opportunities in Connecticut.
2008 is shaping up as a huge year of change, both nationally and locally. We need new leadership to deliver affordable health care for small businesses, to bring tax dollars back from Hartford to invest in our overburdened transportation system, and to promote environmentally responsible economic growth.
This race presents a real opportunity for a vigorous discussion of the issues facing our state, and I call upon whoever becomes the Republican nominee to join me in a series of debates about how to move Connecticut forward.
As previously announced, my fund raising efforts across the seven towns that make up the 26th has resulted in an outpouring of support that will qualify me for public financing through the new Citizens' Election Program. There is a real desire for a change from politics as usual, and I offer a fresh approach to bringing an effective voice to the people of this district.
04.25.22 (RADIO): WSHU Latino group call on Connecticut lawmakers to open a Danbury charter school
06.03.22 (OP-ED): KUSHNER: "Career Academy ‘a great deal for Danbury"
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.
Nice for the mainstream media to catch up to something My Left Nutmeg reported on TWO WEEKS AGO.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
