Patch Candidate Profile: Saud Anwar For 3rd Senate

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — State Sen. Saud Anwar, a Democrat and physician, is seeking another term representing Connecticut's 3rd Senate District.

Anwar faces Republican Eliott Hughes in the Nov. 3 election, according to the official South Windsor sample ballots. The district includes East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington and South Windsor, according to his legislative biography.

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A former South Windsor mayor and Town Council member, Anwar identifies affordability as his top concern, with an emphasis on health care, insurance, housing and energy costs.

Here are his responses to Patch's candidate questionnaire:

Candidate's Name:
Saud Anwar

What office are you seeking?
State Senate

Age:
59

District:
3rd

Party:
Democrat

Campaign website:
https://saudanwar.com

Occupation:
Physician

Family:
Wife, Dr. Yusra Anis-Anwar, sons Taha and Taseen, mother Zia

Does anyone in your family work in government?
No

Previous public office:
Mayor of South Windsor, member of Town Council

Why are you seeking this office?
We need to build on our successes in recent years and make sure we are supporting everyone in our state the best we can. Steady leadership is necessary when we're facing federal funding cuts and important decisions to make when fighting the affordability crisis. I am committed to helping our communities and I believe the work is not yet done.

What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?
Affordability is a significant crisis. Through my position as Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee and vice chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, I hope to help reduce the cost of health care and health insurance to help struggling families. Housing, consumer protections and addressing federal funding cuts are also significant focuses; we need to push throughout our communities to make sure we can alleviate the pressures working families face.

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Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?
We need to increase scrutiny of our utilities, support a collaborative approach to renewable energy to supplement our energy grid, and continue to review charges and programs to find better efficiencies and supports for members of the public.

Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?
There are countless issues related to affordability and we need to address all of them. We need to build our way out of the housing crisis to drive down too-high expenses, reduce health care and health insurance costs to help struggling families and utilize state resources to support those struggling with significant issues like the cost of heating oil and the end of health insurance subsidies and supports. Thankfully, we have a Federal Cuts Response Fund to address some of the biggest pressures, but some of these issues are the result of federal policies and are out of our hands without greater change.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
Representing our communities as a Senator for the last eight years and my previous public service as the mayor of South Windsor reflect my commitment to giving back to our towns and handling the significant responsibilities that come with those positions. I am proud to have led the passage of bills reducing the cost of health care, helping patients in need and shoring up our state public health systems, among many other great advances we've accomplished in the last decade including the second-highest minimum wage in Connecticut, our nation-leading paid family and medical leave program, our prescription drug cost reduction service and our debt-free community college program.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I do not take the responsibility of serving in the Senate lightly and know my votes impact tens of thousands of Connecticut residents. I'm dedicated to making sure they have a voice at the Capitol.

For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.

Editor's note: Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and is publishing candidate profiles ahead of the Nov. 3 election. The responses below are Anwar's own words.