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04/28/2020 12:00 AMRepublican Brendan Saunders has announced that he is a candidate for Connecticut’s 33rd District State Senate seat.
Saunders, a self-described “Reagan Republican,” spoke recently with Republican leaders from across the district, stating, “Like you, I’ve noticed that Connecticut has become a very expensive state in which to live. It seems like many of our representatives in Hartford ignore us, continually burdening us with more taxes, fees, and regulations. The result is that opportunity and freedom is crushed. I believe that government is at its best when it cultivates, not impedes, opportunity.
“I’m running to be your voice in Hartford,” he continued. “I’m running to ensure that our children receive a vibrant future full of opportunity.”
Despite his long history of civic involvement, November 2020 will be the first time that Saunders’s name will appear on the ballot as a candidate. Saunders’s involvement in local politics began shortly after he graduated from high school. In 1992, he contacted former state senator Ed Munster and offered to help with his congressional campaign against Sam Gejdenson. After that, he was asked to serve on the Committee to Elect Tanya Lane Town Clerk of Westbrook.
“It’s always been a privilege to work for local candidates whom I respect and admire. Recently I worked for State Representative Jesse MacLachlan and former State Senator Art Linares,” said Saunders.
Sheila Tortorigi, Colchester’s registrar of voters, described Saunders: “He listens. His background in ministry is a huge asset; you can tell he’s listening and actually cares about each person’s view. He is the type of person I want representing me.”
Carolyn Field of Essex cited Saunders’s commonsense fiscal views, adding, “Connecticut’s high taxes force up the cost of living and drive families and businesses out of the state; it’s time for new leadership in the State Senate.”
Saunders is currently employed as the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Courtyard Marriott in Cromwell. He serves on the Hospitality Advisory Board of Manchester Community College. Saunders is also an ordained Baptist Minister. He served as the founding pastor of Lighthouse Community Church of Westbrook from 2008 to 2017, stepping down to focus on the creation of The Fusion Podcast, an online forum providing lighthearted conversations about life and faith for young adults.
Saunders resides in Clinton with his wife Mary (Costello) Saunders, a Deep River native. Mary is employed as an R.N. at Middlesex Health; together they are the proud parents of their 14-year-old daughter Jorden.
Saunders looks forward to receiving the Republican nomination on May 18 at a convention to be held in East Haddam. The 33rd District encompasses the towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook (part), Portland, and Westbrook.