This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/11/2018 03:04 PMBRANFORD: On Wednesday May 9, Branford Democratic RTM Member Robin Comey announced her candidacy for Connecticut State Representative for the 102nd District. The seat is presently held by Democrat Lonnie Reed who is not seeking re-election in November.
Comey, a Short Beach resident and 3rd District Representative to the RTM [Representative Town Meeting] met with her supporters on Johnson's Beach on Clark Avenue on Wednesday evening.
"I am committed to working hard on behalf of everyone in Branford," said Comey. "Having lived in our town for 25 years, serving as an advocate for children and the elderly, I understand the need to work with legislators in Hartford to come up with workable solutions. Ted Kennedy and Lonnie Reed have provided strong leadership in Hartford and, as your State Representative, I will continue those efforts in
earnest."
Comey says that her business experience combined with her years of state policy advocacy, contributed to her decision to run for state office.
"Throughout my career I've had a wide variety of opportunities and I've acquired a breadth of knowledge on many of the important issues facing our state. I am proud of the reputation I have for being responsive to the needs of the community and I would be honored to
represent the 102nd District in Harford."
Background
Comey is a partner in Starprompt, a teleprompting services company she has operated with her husband for 25 years.
Comey says, "Over the years we have seen up and down trends, much like all business owners. We've experienced times of economic growth and other times when we've had to significantly tighten our belts. I can bring a unique perspective to Hartford having been a part of the non-traditional employment economy. We need policies that will support this growing market as it is estimated to represent 43% of the workforce by 2020. Having access to benefits, such as unemployment and health insurance, retirement packages and paid leave has been one of the most difficult challenges for our business."
Well-known for her volunteer and community organization efforts throughout Branford, she serves on the RTM, representing the 3rd district since November 2017 and is a member of the Education Committee. She currently serves on the Civic Association of Short Beach. She is a former Girl Scout Leader and was active in the PTA.
As a community organizer, Comey has held countless events in Branford over the past two decades. She has led town-wide projects for families such as Market Math Mania, Week of the Young Child literacy activities and Water Wonders, a family environmental educational
event. The projects she leads are innovative and bring new approaches to learning about the world around us. She co-produced programming for Projects for a New Millennium, a Branford-based arts/science/environmental/education non-profit, most well-known for their light shows in Stony Creek Quarry as well as Branford Luminata, a visual presentation of Branford's history, projected onto
Branford Town Hall in 2009.
Comey is also well-known for her vocal advocacy efforts on issues such as early childhood education, health and the pharmaceutical industry. She is recognized for her advocacy work on behalf of families with food allergies, playing a key role on Food Allergy Education Network (FAEN), a non-profit that provides programs, education and support to families impacted by life-threatening food allergies.
According to Erin Spaulding, Vice President of FAEN, "Robin is a strong team member and has the leadership skills and personality to ensure that what needs to get done, gets done. I know, if elected, she would be an asset to the General Assembly and be an advocate for the people of Branford."
"Robin works harder than anyone I know to support families and children in this community," said Celia Toché, founder of Branford Families, "She has been successful in bringing funding for projects forward and organizations that benefit the whole community. Robin is courageous and knows the issues facing the people of Branford."
Toché continues, "I am confident she will fight for Branford and the residents of this town if she is elected as our State Representative."
Family
Comey and her husband Dave have two children, Maddie and Michael, who attend Branford Public Schools. Maddie is active in Model Congress and Cross Country while Michael made his recent debut at Tabor Arts, performing in the musical theater production, Peter Pan Jr.