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05/25/2018 12:00 AMWith conventions now past and most party candidates for various seats in the General Assembly set, voters have a clearer idea of the names they will see on the primary ballots in August and the general election ballot in November. For the people of the 34th State Senate District, the pool of candidates is shaping up to be a little more crowded than it has been in previous years.
Republican Len Fasano currently holds the 34th State Senate seat, which represents East Haven, Wallingford, most of North Haven, and a portion of Durham. Fasano was first elected to the seat in 2003 and became Senate Republican president pro tempore in January 2017. Late last year, Fasano said he would continue to focus on his role in the Senate, putting an end to speculation that he might run for governor.
Fasano has secured his party’s nomination and said he is looking forward to continuing to work for positive change up in Hartford, something he said is a result of two years of bipartisan-supported budgets.
“I think we have to continue to talk about changing the state fiscally,” he said. “What I have always argued is you don’t budget for elections, you budget for generations, and I am proud of the fact that as leader of the Republican Senate for the first time in Connecticut’s history we put together a bipartisan budget together two years ago. Republicans and Democrats came together and we started to make some changes.”
Fasano said he is pleased with the progress that has been made in the last two budgets, but is looking forward to bringing in more reform to help residents stay and thrive in the state.
“I think that is the leadership the state is looking forward to. Not the divisive name-calling, finger-pointing politics, but in fact trying to work together to find real solutions so that both parties can be proud when they go out and meet with residents of the state and say, ‘This is what we have done together,’” he said. “…I am excited about it and I think there is a lot more to do, but that was the beginning and I am proud of being leader of the Republican caucus and being able to get folks to the table.”
Fasano has had little competition for the seat over the years, but this year two Democrats have stepped up to run. On May 21, Wallingford Democrat Aili McKeen secured her party’s nomination for the seat. In an acceptance statement posted on social media, McKeen thanked all who have supported her thus far and said it is time for a change in the 34th District.
“I’ve knocked on hundreds of doors already this spring, and the same issues are on everyone’s mind: the state budget, our schools, and job growth,” she said. “Solving these problems and ensuring a stable future for retirees and a bright future for our children, in their home state, will take collaboration and dedicated focus on all our residents, including those with severe economic challenges and those on the margins.
“We must give the voiceless a voice, and we must focus on the wellbeing of the 99 percent,” she continued. “The one percent don’t need us fighting for them; they’ve got enough lawyers doing that already. Instead, we need to advocate for all of the residents who need our help, and that’s what Len Fasano does not understand. Economic wellbeing does not come from the top down, it comes from the bottom up!”
McKeen did not overwhelmingly win the party nomination and will face East Haven Democrat Josh Balter in a primary this August. Following the convention, Balter also released a statement thanking his supporters and promising to push on.
“We are on the ballot!” the post read. “I am so grateful to the delegates from the 34th State Senate District for putting us on the ballot. We won three out of four towns, but couldn’t overcome the overwhelming number of delegates (20 out of 42) coming from our opponent’s hometown; the final vote was 22-20.
“When we started this campaign in January, I was unknown. We have continuously gained support and momentum as the people have learned about us. Our consistency, solid platform, honesty, never changing our story, and desire to work for the people of the 34th has resonated,” Balter continued. “I am motivated and grateful and I promise to work even harder to both win the primary in August and general in November. Now let’s win it all and take back the 34th for the people of the 34th.”