Back In The Game: Toni Boucher Announces Bid For State Senate Seat

WILTON, CT — Former State Sen. Toni Boucher has announced she will be running for her former 26th District State Senate seat in November.

Boucher, a Republican, served as state senator for the district that covered parts of Ridgefield, Wilton, Redding, Bethel, Westport, New Canaan and Weston from 2008 to 2019, and as a state representative from 1997 to 2008. Redistricting will see Bethel drop out of the district, which will pick up areas in Stamford and Darien.

She lost re-election in 2019 to Democrat Sen. Will Haskell, who won two terms before deciding not to run again in November, and pursue law school instead.

Boucher was gracious to her former rival in the statement announcing her bid, saying Haskell is "hard-working, personable, and cares deeply about Connecticut. I wish him nothing but success and happiness as he enters a new chapter of his life."

Boucher cited her "lifelong love and commitment to public service and helping people" in the statement announcing her bid. Her top issues include "protecting local control" of education, homes, property rights; respecting parental involvement in the schools; making Connecticut more affordable through tax relief; and making communities safer.

"The people of southwestern Connecticut deserve a leader with experience and a track record of bipartisan success," Boucher said. "I am a listener, a coalition-builder and a problem-solver. I’m also a mother, a grandmother, and someone with extensive private sector experience. I’m asking for the support of all voters in November, because I know I can again make a positive difference at the State Capitol. I will be a voice they can count on and trust."