Patch Candidate Profile: Stephen Harding, 30th State Senate District

BROOKFIELD, CT — The 2022 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the gubernatorial election, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs. All five of Connecticut's congressional seats, plus one U.S. Senate seat, are up for grabs as well.

There are 151 seats in the state House of Representatives and 36 in the state Senate. Democrats currently hold majorities in both chambers.

Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Stephen G. Harding, a Brookfield resident, is running for State Senator 30th District.

Campaign website

Party affiliation: Republican

Education: Albertus Magnus, Bachelors; New York Law School, JD

Occupation: Attorney; 10 yrs

Family: Kelly, Wife; Carter, Son (4 yrs); Piper, Daughter (2 yrs)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

Brookfield BOE, 2013-2017; State Rep. 107th District 2015-Present

Age: 35

Why are you seeking this office?

I want to be a strong advocate for the Northwest corner of our State, as Senator Craig Miner has been. This is the community that I was raised in and now is the same community I am fortunate enough to be raising my own family in. I want to ensure that my family and yours have the same opportunities that I was fortunate to have being raised in this incredible area of our State.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Affordability/tax burden. We need to ensure our State Budget is reasonable and efficient. For many years our state has been managed in a fiscally irresponsible manner. We have made some good strides in recent years, but we still have a long way to go to ensure that we address our long term liabilities, while also reducing the tax burden placed on so many of our families and businesses in our State.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

As mentioned, we should be looking for ways to decrease the tax burden on residents and businesses, as opposed to increasing these taxes.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

1. Open space preservation and Local zoning. Completely opposed to the many efforts in Hartford to implement Statewide zoning. Zoning and planning decisions should be made by local officials. Not bureaucrats in Hartford.

2. Preserving and protecting our local natural resources. I have worked as a State Rep to secure critical funding to help preserve Lakes Candlewood and Lillinonah. I look forward to putting in the same effort to protect all of our incredible resources in the Northwest Corner.

3. Securing the proper educational funding for our local towns. For many budgets during the Malloy years, our local communities had significant State Educational funding reduced. I will fight to have that funding restored for our local students.

4. Protecting the ICU and Maternity Ward at Sharon Hospital. We need to work with State officials to ensure that these vital units remain open to the local community, as well as implement policy which will incentivize further investment from hospitals in more of the rural areas of our State.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As State Rep I have a strong history of bipartisanship and fight for my district. Securing funding for our local schools and natural resources. All while standing against further taxes and fees on our residents and businesses, as well as advocating against over development of our open space.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Always remember that a small gesture on your part can make a huge impact on another person's day.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

It would be an incredible honor to serve as your State Senator!