Simsbury Dem Primary: Wellman Claims 'Electability'

SIMSBURY, CT — Saying he has "minor differences on the issues" with his primary opponent, Simsbury Democrat Eric Wellman said his candidacy over challenger Melissa Osborne amounts to one element: electability.

"I have won three contested elections, each by a wider margin," said Wellman, the 39-year-old Simsbury selectman seeking the Democratic nomination in the Aug. 9 primary for the 16th House District seat. "My opponent has never won a contested election."

To get on the November ballot, however, Wellman must defeat Osborne, a Simsbury attorney who has garnered sufficient petition support to seek a primary after local Democrats endorsed Wellman earlier this year.

Simsbury is the lone town in the 16th House.

Whoever wins Tuesday will face off in November against Republican-nominated House hopeful Mike Paine. Incumbent state Rep. John Hampton, D-Simsbury, is not seeking another term.

In 2017, Wellman defeated Paine in Simsbury's first selectman race, something Wellman pointed to regarding his electability this year.

"I am the only candidate in this race with actual legislative experience," he said.

Going into the primary, Wellman — Simsbury's first selectman from 2017-21 — said he is pro choice; supports gun safety measures; supports expanded access to early childhood education; and said children and young adults are facing a "mental health crisis."

Regarding mental health, Wellman said he "supported unprecedented investments this past year in our town, hiring three new social workers (two in schools and one in our Department of Community and Social Services)."

He said he has an ability to work with others across the political aisle, something necessary in the state legislature.

"In my entire time as first selectman, my board was evenly split between Democrats and Republicans and I have worked effectively with all of my colleagues regardless of party," he said.
"I have led the passage of bipartisan budgets that have kept taxes in check at a time when many of our neighboring towns have been raising taxes."

Wellman has also received multiple endorsements from others, including U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5th District, the Working Families Party and others on the state Democratic ballot.

A year ago, Wellman declined to seek another term as Simsbury's top official to focus on a new job and his young family. He has a wife and a daughter.

A graduate of Syracuse University with a broadcast journalism background, he later earned an MBA at Case Western Reserve University.

Wellman is currently an efficiency expert working for Anthem, now called Elevance Health, in a role where his job is to find business efficiencies. He also has his own consulting practice called Renrock Consulting LLC.

Regarding his family, Wellman said he met his wife in high school. "Our first date was at a homecoming dance at Simsbury High School," he said.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 9. Polling locations are:
• District 1, Henry James Memorial School, 155 Firetown Road.
• District 2, Latimer Lane School, 33 Mountain View Drive.
• District 3, Tootin' Hills School, 25 Nimrod Road.
• District 4, Tariffville Elementary School, 42 Winthrop St.

For more information on Eric Wellman, click on this link.

For Democratic House hopeful Eric Wellman's Facebook page, click on this link.