Patch Candidate Profiles 2022: Donna Meier, 13th House District

MANCHESTER, 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.

Donna Meier, a Manchester resident, is running for State Representative 13th House District

Campaign website

https://DonnaMeier4CT.com

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

BS Chemical Engineering, Bucknell University; Master of Divinity, Fuller Theological Seminary

Occupation

Property and Casualty Insurance, 8 years

Family

My husband, Will and I have lived in Manchester for 25 years. We raised our sons, Jonathan and Luke, here. Our home has always had an open-door policy. Whether it was inviting neighborhood kids to join in the fun of our sons’ science experiments, or raising our foster sons for a season, welcoming friends from the international graduate student group we volunteered with or hosting international exchange students, we have always enjoyed the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Age

Previous public office, appointive or elective

No.

Why are you seeking this office?

People in our district are concerned with trends we are seeing in our state and in our local communities. These people do not feel heard, and I care about that. As I mention below, the cost of living is skyrocketing. Crime in our communities is on the rise. And parents are circumvented in the care and education of their children.

I believe that I can be part of the solution to these and other problems in our state. Listening is one of my signature strengths. I am an effective communicator and an analytical thinker. I am told there is no nuance in politics. But there is nuance in real life, and we need to make every effort to write laws that do not overstate or over enforce an issue.
Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The cost of living.
According to a Quinnipiac poll, the cost of living is the number one concern for people across the political spectrum. With inflation spiraling out of control, residents are worried about how to feed their families and keep them warm through the winter. I will work to reduce taxes and let people keep more of their hard-earned money. House Republicans have a plan for this which can be viewed at contractwithct.com.

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

Please refer to my answer to question #18.

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

Democrats have had the majority in the CT legislature for decades. They have made Connecticut the 3rd most expensive state in which to retire. Families and businesses are fleeing the state. We cannot solve these problems with the same policies that created them.

Furthermore, my opponent voted for the police accountability bill, which has made our communities and our police less safe.

Police are the first line of defense keeping our communities safe. Every time they go to work, they do not know what challenges will face them, or if they will even make it home. But they go anyway. Something deep inside compels them to protect and serve our communities.

Through his vote on PA 20-1, my opponent eroded the legal shield afforded to police officers and exposed them to frivolous lawsuits. Without protections from legal and financial liability, police may second-guess themselves and unintentionally hesitate in critical moments, causing harm to themselves and fellow officers.

I pledge to support our men and women in uniform.

I will work to repeal the part of the Democrats’ “police accountability” bill that exposes officers and their families to financial ruin. I will work to strengthen our criminal justice laws to protect victims and hold repeat criminals accountable.

My opponent voted to interfere with the right of parents to guide and care for their children. He has voted for a number of laws that have eroded parents' rights. Thanks to him and his Democrat colleagues, minors can embark on numerous life-changing actions without parental knowledge or consent, including abortions, puberty blockers and/or cross-sex hormones, and other psychological treatments. Yet we know it is the parents who must pick up the pieces when things go wrong.

I am committed to protecting the right of parents to guide and care for their own kids.

It is time for a change. The people of Connecticut deserve long-term strategies that will make our state safer, more affordable and more family friendly. I will work hard with the Republican party to be an agent of positive change to reverse these trends.

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

See above

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

I have had leadership roles in business and non-profits for my entire adult life. I have built and overseen effective teams comprised of people from diverse backgrounds and opinions. These positions required interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.

Engineering is a challenging field that requires discipline, time management, and effective problem-solving skills. I entered the work force at a time when women engineers were just beginning to take their place in this field. I navigated a system that was unfamiliar to me and advocated for other women who would follow. I continued to break gender stereotypes when I worked in ministry.

Raising my family in this area has equipped me to understand the challenges families face. My husband and I taught our sons to think for themselves and be lifelong learners. Those skills are helping them to navigate a culture that is rapidly changing. These are qualities that I bring to this position.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Don't be afraid to try something new.

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

The needs of constituents who are not being heard is central to my platform.