Former Westport Selectman Running For 26th Senate District

WESTPORT, CT — Ken Bernhard, a former third selectman and town attorney for the town of Westport, announced this week his candidacy for the state's 26th Senate District.

Sen. Will Haskell, who was elected to a second term serving the district in 2020, recently announced he will not seek re-election in November. Haskell instead plans to attend law school, which he said will require his full-time attention.

The senator, who represents parts of Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, and Wilton, said he will continue to work for his constituents through the end of his term.

In a statement, Bernhard said he was disappointed to learn that Haskell will vacate his seat but admired the senator for his decision to focus on his future.

"Having received the news about Will's decision," Bernhard said, "I felt a sense of responsibility to ensure that the 26th District will continue to be well represented and that it will remain a part of the Democratic party caucus."

Bernhard said he considered it a privilege to represent his community in Hartford once again, "this time as a Democratic state senator." According to Good Morning Wilton, Bernhard is a former Republican who changed his affiliation and will be running as a Democrat.

Bernhard boasts an extensive resume that includes serving as state representative for the 136th District from 1997 to 2006, during which he served as assistant house minority leader for three years.

He served as Westport's third selectman from 1987 to 1989 and town attorney for parts of the 1980's and 1990's. Bernhard has also served as town attorney for Wilton (1992 –2017) and Weston (2000 – 2010; 2015 –2017).

"As an experienced legislator, I understand the political process and how it works in Hartford," Bernhard said. "If elected, I would be ready to represent the district effectively on day one. Additionally, I am available to devote my full time and attention to this important work."

Bernhard said his record should attract the support of "moderate and conservative-leaning Democrats, like-minded Republicans and unaffiliated voters," all of whom deserve a state senator who will work hard and exercise good judgment and common sense.

"When I served as Westport's state representative in the role of assistant minority leader," Bernhard said, "I was recognized as a moderate-to-liberal legislator who advocated for a woman's right to choose, promoted the protection of the environment, voted for sensible gun control legislation, and supported voting rights.

Bernhard also noted he is eager to take on a more active role in advancing those values, both in Hartford and around the nation.

"Our republic is under assault. Every day we see this happening in Washington, D.C. and throughout the United States. We cannot allow it to happen here in Connecticut," Bernhard said. "There is much work to be done at the state capitol to address the ongoing threat and ravages of climate change, to ensure that the state's fiscal house is in order, to improve our transportation infrastructure, to guard against racial injustice, and to enhance community 'safety nets.' I want to make certain that the interests of our Fairfield County communities are not overlooked in Hartford."

Bernhard said he will register his campaign with the state in a couple of weeks and looks forward to meeting with voters to discuss Connecticut's future.