CT Patch Candidate Profile: Ed Lopez For 150th House District

GREENWICH, 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.

Ed Lopez, a Greenwich resident, is running for State Representative in the 150th House District.

Campaign website

https://lopezforgreenwich.com

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

University of Rhode Island, BA; Durham University, MA; American University in Cairo, Arabic Language Certifications

Occupation

Public Relations Consultant (14 years); US Army Reserve and National Guard (12 years)

Family

Marie A Lopez (wife, 44): Health Care Consultant and Photographer; mother lives in Greenwich, brother in West Hartford, rest of the family in other states.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None work in the government I am running for.

Age

48

Previous public office, appointive or elective

I have served three terms on the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting.

Why are you seeking this office?

A lot of the issues afflicting our town stem from state policies. I want to advocate for more transparent government, better local control of our education and our planning and zoning, lower taxes and a more modern economy for the state; I also want to better support public safety and security, which have been weakened by recent legislation in our state assembly.

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

The economy: our bureaucracy has made it difficult for small businesses to flourish and larger companies to want to stay. Our taxes are too high, diminishing our tax base and unbridling our state government to raise taxes and spend in the spaces where we no longer have private sector resources. It's a self-perpetuating problem so long as we continue supporting the current majority in Hartford. Policies adversely affecting our public safety and property values and rights further diminish fiscal health. I want to reverse these trends by reinvigorating public safety, allowing municipalities to better plan their own communities, and supporting more tax cuts and spending reductions to stimulate growth and a more modern economy.

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

Being part of the Democratic majority in Hartford only perpetuates the economic abuse our state is enduring. I support new ideas for our economy, I believe our hard-earned money is invested more wisely by those who earn it and in the communities they are in. My experience in the US Army National Guard gives me greater perspective to strike a better balance between respect for civil liberties and public safety and security.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

The current office holder is bound by the majority government in Hartford - his ability to represent Hartford is constrained by political leadership in Hartford. The result is my opponent becomes an emissary for Hartford. I will be an ambassador for Greenwich in Hartford instead.

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

Connecticut needs to cultivate new industries and understand how it's economy can improve and modernize as the world adjusts to the gig economy, to increasingly permanent remote work, and to the many changes new technologies and concepts like blockchain will bring to our world. We need to understand our green and blue economies better and work toward paradigm shifts.

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

I have been one of the most pro-active members of the Greenwich Representative Town meeting and have served on a large number of committees for the time that I have served (five years), including many special committees and several of them addressing some of the most pressing issues that are actually rooted in Hartford (statewide) policies. My experience in the US Army National Guard also provides great perspective on organizational culture and approaches that are not considered in state government as broadly as we could. I also have ample experience in the non-profit sector, which has given me great insight on where citiziens, in partnership with the faith community and private sector can better tackle issues regionally and locally as opposed to at the state level and by the government. Additionally, I have my own small consulting business which has allowed me to understand the impact of current economic policies and conditions viscerally.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Simply put, to learn how to listen.

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

I am a libertarian-Republican, very focused on economic issues and very independent-minded. I come from a family of educators and think there is great value in listening to both sides on any issue, fully. I think there is great room to improve our political discourse: I believe you vote for more than the person who best represent your views: you are also voting for the change and the character you want to see reflected in and from your community, Party, and in the delegation you send to Hartford. Your vote today is about the long term impact an elected official can have on our town, the state, and even our country.