Granby Voters: CT's 8th District Sen. Candidate Melissa Osborne Speaks on Recent Endorsements

Press release:

Melissa Osborne, candidate for senate in Connecticut’s 8th district, has been endorsed by both the Connecticut Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Connecticut Chapter of the American Association of University Professors. In a statement, Osborne said, “I am proud to announce that they have chosen to support my candidacy. I promise to work tirelessly on their behalf as both the longevity of our environment and higher education institutions are vital to the progress of the communities in the 8th District.”

The Sierra Club is the largest and oldest grassroots organization in the nation championing for environments. Osborne recognized that the district she hopes to represent is the second largest geographical district and has an array of environmental needs.

Osborne stated she is especially aware of renewable energy and its role in Canton and Collinsville. She expressed a disappointment in her opponent’s actions on this topic “While sitting as a member of the Energy Committee, Senator Kevin Witkos elected to vote against a bill in 2010 which aimed to reduce electricity costs and promote renewable energy. This is inexcusable.” She continued to site that two years following that vote Witkos, was forced to resign from the Committee as he accepted a position with the Government Relations Division of Northeast Utilities. The State of Connecticut States Ethics Board issued an opinion dated July 19th, 2012 which stated that Witkos was not allowed to discuss, champion for or vote on energy related initiatives in his official capacity as senator. He subsequently was absent from voting on legislation in 2013 which defined new sources of renewable energy for the state. “My opponent’s diminished capacity as a senator is not fair to the residents of the 8th District.”

The Connecticut Chapter of the American Association of University is comprised of faculty membership from all four state universities. Mary Ann Mahony, Chair of the group’s Political Committee, stated that Osborne’s endorsement was a result of her commitment to maintain and improve public higher education in the state. Osborne stated that she fully appreciates the value of a higher education experience as she attended Hunter College, a public institution, and later New York Law. “I went to school during the day and worked nights to earn my degrees. This investment allowed me to have a successful career. We need to ensure that collegiate opportunities or vocational training is affordable.”

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The Eighth Senate District of Connecticut elects one member of the Connecticut Senate. Its current senator is Republican Kevin Witkos, who was first elected in 2008. The district contains the towns of Norfolk, Hartford, Hartland, Canton, Simsbury, New Hartford, Avon, Barkhamsted, Colebrook and parts of Granby, Harwinton and Torrington.

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