Marjorie Bonadies (CT-88) Is The Right Choice for Hamden

The retirement of Rep. Sharkey provides Connecticut’s 88th District the unique opportunity to enact real change and elect an entirely new voice to the State House. Democratic candidate Josh Elliott has presented himself as a fresh face ready to bring change to the district, but a closer look at his policies reveals a liberal extremist with policy ideas that have failed the district and the state time and time again. His opponent, Marjorie Bonadies, is prepared to lead the fight to bring a new economic approach to Hartford. I am writing in support of Bonadies for State Representative because Hamden and the rest of Connecticut simply cannot afford to continue the policies that Elliott has put forward.

Though both Bonadies and Elliott can recognize that our state’s Democratic leadership is failing us, the crucial difference between the candidates is that Elliott believes the Democratic party has not been extreme enough in its policies. However, with Connecticut dead last among all 50 states in job growth and economic outlook according to Forbes magazine and Governor Malloy raising taxes on an almost yearly basis to justify reckless spending, it’s safe to say our Democratic leadership has been extreme enough. Connecticut’s Democratic leaders have spent years refusing to even consider more conservative approaches, such as lowering corporate taxes to bring jobs back into Connecticut. It’s time to send representatives like Marjorie Bonadies, who are willing to fight tirelessly for new conservative policies, to Hartford.

Elliott is a strenuous proponent of several radical policies favored by Democratic leadership, but he has consistently neglected opportunities to put those policies into practice. He claims to support Bernie Sanders-esque economic policies like $15-an-hour minimum wage and paid family leave, but offers neither of those benefits to his own employees. He offers legalization of marijuana as a solution to keeping young residents from leaving a state where we can barely afford rent. Finally, as longtime Connecticut businesses flee the state to escape oppressive corporate taxes, bringing countless jobs with them, Elliott argues that the key to solving Connecticut’s economic problems somehow lies in making millionaires pay more taxes. This supposed solution is not only unsustainable, but will not provide adequate revenue to remediate our economic state.

Elliott’s campaigning style alone is another example of him valuing words over action. His website touts the value of keeping big money out of politics, but he has relied on PAC and special-interest money to fund his campaign, and has even hired canvassers from out of state to work the district on his behalf. This started even before his candidacy, when he brought in an army of paid canvassers to help him win the primary he forced against Democratic nominee James Pascarella. In contrast, Bonadies has run a local campaign, knocking on doors herself and relying on support from Hamden residents who interact with their community every day and want to engage with her about the needs of district.

While Elliott has already shown that the district is a tool for him to achieve his own ends, Bonadies has been working tirelessly to be a resource for the district. Bonadies is active in the community outside her campaign: she recently organized a town forum to address the opioid epidemic in Hamden, with assistance from the town police, fire department, mayor’s office, and education department. Simply put, Bonadies has the attitude of a public servant, while Elliott has the attitude of a politician.

Positing Democratic policy as the sole gateway to real change in politics has been a successful PR strategy for liberal politicians, but the facts show that our state is failing under Democratic leadership. For the 88th district and for Connecticut, a conservative approach to our economic struggles represents a true change from our disastrous tax-and-spend policy. Marjorie Bonadies is ready to represent that change. I support her candidacy for State Representative and I urge all residents of Connecticut’s 88th District to do the same.