CT Patch Candidate Profile: Heather Somers For 18th State Senate District

GROTON, 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.

State Sen. Heather Somers is running for re-election in the 18th District, which includes Griswold, Groton, North Stonington, Plainfield, Preston, Sterling, Stonington, and Voluntown.

Candidate's Name:

Heather Somers

What office are you seeking?

State Senate

Age:

60

District:

18

Party:

Republican

Campaign website:

https://heathersomers.com

Occupation:

Business Consultant

Family:

3 children, 1 grandchild, 3 dogs

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No

Previous public office:

Mayor of Town of Groton, Incumbent State Senator

Why are you seeking this office?

To continue to make the 18th district a desirable place to live, work, and raise a family. I want to make a lasting difference for the residents of our communities, and leave the area better than I found it for my kids and grandkids.

What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?

Affordability and Cost of Living

I have been addressing this in the state Senate through combatting electric rate increases, advocating for the removal of public benefits charges, supporting property tax cut mechanisms, and proposing health insurance policy that will slash premiums by up to 30%.

Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?

First, we need to look at the public benefits charge on peoples bills and see what can be moved into the general fund to alleviate their burden.

We must also analyze power purchase agreements and ensure that ratepayers are not being victimized by energy companies in CT. Cap the price of all future long-term energy purchase agreements.

And lastly, we must continue to study other forms of energy as options in our state, many of which can be cheaper and cleaner ways to increase our supply and lower our costs. Redefine Class I renewable energy sources to include nuclear power and hydropower.

Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?

Affordability means different things to different people, but what I am hearing most is soaring property taxes. The Tax Foundation ranks CT as the 3rd highest in property taxes.

Property tax increases are crushing family budgets. We need meaningful reform through the Homestead Act, reasonable property tax caps, and targeted abatement programs for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and others on fixed incomes. The state should help offset the local impact.

The state must fully fund education and special education and continue raising ECS foundation levels, so communities are not forced to rely on property taxes to make up the difference. As a former mayor, this was always the number one cost-driver in a municipal budget.

The state should reform the earmark process. Every project should have a sponsoring legislator attached to it, and funds should be tracked through completion to ensure accountability. Projects should be properly vetted through the Appropriations Committee to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

We must decrease the number of unfunded mandates being sent back home from Hartford. It is estimated by CCM that towns and cities are burdened by over 1,400 unfunded mandates handed down from the state. That drives costs up for all towns, many of which cannot afford to shoulder those costs.

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

I have maintained a strong record of turning ideas into results. I have successfully passed legislation that directly improves the lives of Connecticut residents while also securing hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding for critical projects throughout our region.

Among my legislative accomplishments are laws requiring insurance coverage for coronary calcium scans and expanded access to mammograms, helping patients detect serious health conditions earlier and improving outcomes. I have been recognized locally and nationally for landmark legislation relating to behavioral health, opiate addiction services, domestic violence victims, and sexual harassment and voyeurism. I have also secured funding for infrastructure projects that are vital to our local economy and quality of life, including just recently investments in commercial fishing docks and $2.3 million to complete the seawall project in Groton.

I have never shied away from taking on difficult issues and standing up for the people I represent. Most recently, I led efforts to oppose legislation that threatened the livelihoods of Connecticut’s fishermen and lobstermen. I also worked alongside farmers from across the district and state after a dramatic reassessment of farmland values, some facing increases of more than 2,300% despite protections under Connecticut’s PA 490 farmland preservation program. By bringing farmers directly to Hartford to share their concerns, we were able to stop those increases from taking effect.

In addition, I have consistently worked to increase transparency and accountability in state government. Whether exposing wrongdoing and demanding reforms related to CMEEC, raising concerns about conditions and management at Whiting Forensic Hospital, or pushing for greater oversight of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, I have been committed to ensuring government serves the public honestly and effectively.

At the end of the day, my greatest accomplishment is being a strong voice for the people of southeastern Connecticut, fighting for their interests, delivering results, and making sure their concerns are heard in Hartford.

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

I am cross-endorsed by the Independent Party of CT.