ENFIELD, CT — Tom Tyler backed candidates from both major parties Thursday, endorsing Republican Marie Pyznar for Enfield's 58th House District seat and Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney for reelection to Congress.
The bipartisan endorsements came on the same day. Tyler's support for Pyznar puts him behind the Republican opponent of state Rep. John Santanella, who defeated Tyler in last month's court-ordered Democratic primary.
Tyler endorsed Pyznar, an Enfield town councilor and former deputy mayor, citing her community involvement, small business experience and family values.
"For me, this race is about Enfield values. It's about which candidate shares our values, and Marie is that candidate," Tyler said in an Oct. 22 news release.
Tyler said he has known Pyznar for essentially her entire life and pointed to her experience raising a family in North Thompsonville and operating a business in Thompsonville.
"Marie treats everyone with dignity and respect no matter their political beliefs or party affiliation," he said.
Tyler said Pyznar understands the financial pressures facing families and employers, including paying business expenses and meeting payroll.
"I don't care what team jersey she wears on her back, I do care about what's in her heart," Tyler said.
The release said the endorsement was Tyler's decision and had not been solicited by Pyznar or anyone acting on behalf of her campaign.
As Patch previously reported, unofficial results showed Santanella winning 83 percent of the vote in the Sept. 1 Democratic primary, with about 1,000 Enfield Democrats participating.
The election was delayed by a dispute over the paperwork Tyler used to qualify for the ballot. Santanella challenged the petitions, and a Superior Court judge rejected them because some forms were issued too early and lacked a required signature-count section.
The Connecticut Supreme Court reversed that ruling July 30, restoring Tyler's candidacy and ordering a new primary. The lower court had not found that Tyler's signatures were fraudulent or that voters had done anything wrong.
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Both candidates identified the cost of living as a major concern in their recently published Patch questionnaires, outlining different approaches to easing pressure on household budgets.
In her candidate profile, Pyznar called for a review of state mandates imposed on municipalities, saying requirements without accompanying funding contribute to higher property taxes.
"Affordability is my number one concern," she wrote.
Pyznar also advocated reducing unnecessary spending and increasing transparency and accountability in electric bills. She cited her Town Council service and willingness to cast a dissenting vote as evidence of her readiness for the legislature.
In his candidate profile, Santanella said more state support for schools and municipal services would help ease the burden on local property taxpayers. He also supported expanding access to affordable child care.
"People are feeling squeezed, and understandably so," he wrote.
Santanella, who is seeking a second term, cited funding secured for Enfield Square redevelopment, schools and emergency services among his accomplishments. On energy costs, he called for expanding and diversifying supply, investing in renewable energy and strengthening oversight of Eversource.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. According to Tyler's announcement, early voting runs through Nov. 1 at Enfield Town Hall.
For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.
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