State Senator Norm Needleman Announces Candidacy for Re-Election in the 33rd District
State Senator Norm Needleman (D-33) announced his candidacy today for re-election to the 33rd State Senate District. First elected to his seat in 2018, Needleman represents the towns of Colchester, Chester, Clinton, Essex, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Haddam, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Lyme, and Portland.
“It is an honor to be able to represent the 33rd Senatorial District, and I’m excited to continue serving my constituents,” said Needleman. “My time in the General Assembly has been an incredible experience, and I truly enjoy fighting for my district to ensure we build a stronger future for them and all the citizens of Connecticut. I humbly ask my constituents for the opportunity to do so for another term.”
Needleman serves as Senate chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, vice chair of the Planning and Development Committee, and is a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding, Transportation, and Commerce committees.
In his role as co-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, Needleman was instrumental in getting legislation approved to help fulfill the promise of a carbon free energy future by 2040. He was a key player in developing legislation that will, over the next ten years, lead to approximately one third of the state’ s energy requirements being sourced from renewable wind power. Additionally, his committee approved legislation expanding residential and municipal solar, and commissioned a study on distributed generation as well as allowing for the placement of solar panels on state property.
Other successes benefiting the 33rd District thanks to the hard work by Needleman include: allowing police officers and firefighters to receive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder; protecting Connecticut lakes, ponds, and rivers from invasive species through a new funding program; and raising the age of access for tobacco products from 18 to 21.
In his short time in the legislature, Needleman has made good on his campaign slogan “Norm makes sense,” developing a reputation for being a common-sense problem solver, enlisting bipartisan and often unanimous support for his legislation, and being open-minded and willing to listen to all sides of an argument before making final decisions on the issues at hand. As a result, he enjoys a wide-ranging, diverse base of support.
“I am excited for Connecticut because of terrific leaders in our state like Norm Needleman,” said Mary Bylone, first selectman of Colchester. “Norm has already proven his commitment to the people with his attention to finding long term solutions for energy and working with municipal leaders. He will have my full support again in 2020.”
“Norm Needleman, as both my state senator and my first selectman, has continued to bring great value to my community,” said D.G. Fitton, an Essex resident who serves as a Republican member of both the local and regional Boards of Education. “His district and his town have seen continued economic and social prosperity at a reduced cost. Supporting education, public service, open space, and industry all at the same time seem like an impossible juggling act, but Norm manages it all. The lower Connecticut River Valley continues to thrive under his leadership. I support Norm for another term so he may continue the good work he has begun.”
“I feel deeply privileged to live in the beautiful Connecticut River Valley. It could not be the environmental treasure that it is without public policy heroes like Norm Needleman,” said Susan Merrow, former first selectman of Haddam and former Sierra Club National Board of Directors president. “He is consistently on the front lines at the Capitol on the right side of issues like cleaner air and water, better waste management, and protected open space. But even more important, his leadership as Senate chair of the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee put Connecticut in the forefront of the fight against climate change. He helped our state achieve the largest procurement of wind energy of any state, which will provide 30 percent of our state’s electricity usage. I’m proud to call Norm Needleman my senator.”