Patch Candidate Profile: Bob Hebert, 111th State House District

RIDGEFIELD, 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.

Bob Hebert, a Ridgefield resident, is running for State Representative, 111th District. He is challenging incumbent Democrat Aimee Berger-Girvalo.

Campaign website

Party affiliation: Republican/Independent

Education: BA Business Administration

Occupation: Commercial Real Estate Investment & Advisory

Family: Married to Jan and a proud father of Brian, Lindsay and Janna.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? Yes, Brian is a LT. Colonel/Pilot with the Connecticut Air National Guard.

Previous public office, appointive or elective: Appointed Chairman of the Ridgefield Housing Authority 2010 -2015. Twice elected to the Board of Selectmen 2015 - present.

Why are you seeking this office?

I'm seeking this office because ALL Ridgefield residents deserve to be heard and represented. As State Representative, I will be a voice for all of Ridgefield.

Our town needs someone that we can trust to do the hard work of setting policy that directly impacts the quality of our lives, and reflects the values and principles of Ridgefield residents.

I place a high value on building relationships with town leaders and residents. I also believe that disrespect and personal attacks create unhealthy relationships that undermine sound government; and that good relationships and sound policy best serve our community.

As a member of the Board of Selectmen, I'm proud of my track record of setting aside personal interests and influences for the common good of our town. I work collaboratively with bipartisan peers and have helped set policy standards that reflect Ridgefield's values.

I will bring my municipal and professional experience to Hartford because Ridgefield needs and deserves a representative who is unafraid to do what is right for its residents, rather than what is easy and along party lines.

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

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is inflation and making living in Connecticut a more prosperous and affordable place to live, work, raise a family and retire.

Connecticut ranks second in the nation for having the most burdensome state and local taxes. In addition to dealing with high gas prices and record high inflation, Connecticut residents are also faced with two new tax increases which further increases the cost of goods and services. First the state diesel fuel tax which took place effective July 1, 2022. Second, a highway use tax on large commercial trucks which takes effect in January 2023.

As your state representative, I will seek immediate relief by working to significantly reduce, if not eliminate, new taxes.

I will also support policies and legislation that lowers the tax burden on families and seniors and ensure that small businesses receive the necessary support so that they can continue to be an integral part of our community.

Specifically, I will support a broad based and immediate tax relief package that:

1.) Reduces the 5% income tax rate to 4%
2.) Expands the gas tax holiday to include diesel fuel
3.) Eliminates the highway use tax
4.) Extends our current bond lock for another five years, which is a critical component of the bipartisan 217 budget
5.) Expands eligibility for heating oil assistance to an additional 100,000+ households

This proposal would provide immediate tax relief while still providing the historic $2.85 billion in enhanced pension debt payments and preserving the $3.3 billion rainy day fund.

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

I'm a non-patrician leader dedicated to family, community and public service.

I served my country; raised my family in Ridgefield, worked on Wall Street; founded The Bank of New Canaan; and currently the Managing Partner/Owner of a commercial real estate investment and advisory firm.

As a two-term Selectman and former Chairman of the Ridgefield Housing Authority, I have a long track record of accomplishments benefiting residents, businesses and the most vulnerable in our community.

As a critical thinker I understand that today's problems often come from yesterday's solutions. I also know how to best limit shifting a problem into the future by maintaining a long-term perspective and consider the potential long-term impact of our decisions.

Being a good representative for Ridgefield is not just about one's opinion or stance on a single issue. It's about vital attributes, character and qualities that contribute to the near-term and long-term wellbeing of Ridgefield - now and into the future.

As a successful business executive, I will bring wisdom and experience to Hartford to shield our town from government overreach. I will continue to cross the aisle to work for the good of our town, protecting Ridgefield, parents, children and schools.

All Ridgefielder's deserve to be heard and represented. As state representative, I will be a voice for all of Ridgefield. I have proven that I have the vision, experience and integrity to fight for our town, our state and our way of life in Connecticut's 111th district.

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

Our current office holder for State Representative has failed Ridgefield by voting 99% of the time with the Democrat majority even when it was not in the best interests of Ridgefield's residents, schools or businesses.

She voted for SB 1202 under which the state was given the authority to oversee all state and local literacy efforts including a reading curriculum requirement. This one-size-fits-all approach takes control away from local school boards and teachers who know what's best for their students.

She also voted to cut the Special Ed budget by $228,939 in the 2021-2022 with another $300,000 in cuts in 2023. To cover the Special Education budget shortfall resources will now need to be pulled from other department programs.

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

Addressing Behavioral and Mental Health, Public Safety, Parental Rights and Government Transparency and Accountability are focal points of my campaign.

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

As a successful entrepreneur and executive my professional experience includes the following accomplishments:

1.) Senior executive experience in banking and on Wall Street
2.) Developed and implemented turn-around strategies for two distressed banks
3.) Founder/Organizer of The Bank of New Canaan, a community bank designed to provide local residents and businesses with innovative products and exceptional personal service
4.) Founder/Owner of a Real Estate Investment and Advisory firm specializing in commercial real estate investments and development.

My community service includes the following accomplishments:

1.) Appointed as Chairman of the Ridgefield Housing Authority. Implemented policies, procedures and controls which resulted in improve occupancy rates, increased resident satisfaction, financial
solvency and stability.
2.) Twice elected to serve as a member of Ridgefield's Board of Selectmen.
3.) During Covid I regularly met with local business owners to better understand their individual struggles and challenges. I initiated and co-chaired the Re-Open Ridgefield task force designed to help local businesses safely reopen their businesses.
4.) Also during Covid I worked with the town's emergency operations team to procure and distribute masks, thermometers and test kits to local businesses.
5.) I created a Fund and brought together a group of citizens to help raise money from the private sector. The goal of the Fund was to save as many local jobs and businesses as possible by providing financial assistance, in the form of a grant, during this unprecedented time of challenges for our local businesses.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice I ever received was from my father. He shared his favorite quote -"Always do the right thing, even when no one is looking. It's called character."

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

On November 8th we will go to the polls to vote for someone to represent Ridgefield for the next two years.

We have an opportunity and a responsibility to give serious consideration to who will represent us, someone who will make decisions on our behalf. We are placing trust in someone to do the hard work of setting policy that will directly impact the quality of life for every Ridgefield resident.

I believe that now, more than ever, Ridgefield needs an experienced and principled leader who will work collaboratively to find solutions to our problems. I am excited to bring my professional experience and leadership skills to take on this challenge.