Click play to listen to audio interviews with the two candidates!
The 105th state house district covers parts of Derby and Beacon Falls, but its main battleground is Seymour — the home town of the candidates in this year’s election to represent it.
Democratic incumbent Theresa Conroy and Republican challenger Nicole Klarides-Ditria have both served recently on the town’s Board of Selectmen, where Klarides-Ditria currently serves as deputy to First Selectman Kurt Miller.
And both are professionals in health care — Conroy as a registered advanced practice registered nurse and Klarides-Ditria as an athletic trainer at Lauralton Hall High School and the Seymour High School football team.
Election Day is Nov. 8.
Click here to look up your polling place.
The Campaign
Klarides-Ditria, the sister of the top Republican in the state House of Representatives, Derby’s Themis Klarides, announced her intention to run in January and immediately by saying that “for too long one-party rule in Hartford has led to runaway spending and job-killing tax increases.”
Seeking her third consecutive term representing the 105th district, Conroy has been trumpeting her work on behalf of constituents throughout the district — as well as at times distancing herself from Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy, whose approval with voters appears to be in freefall.
For example, during a podcast interview with the Valley Indy this month, Conroy talked about her efforts to preserve funding for Derby’s Griffin Hospital during the most recent budget debate in Hartford.
Klarides-Ditria was also a guest on an episode of the podcast, where she said that if elected she’ll provide a check on the Democrats in Hartford.
In a preview of the race published last week by the New Haven Register, Klarides-Ditria highlighted her work on the Seymour Board of Selectmen, saying she’d bring the same attitude to the statehouse.
Conroy highlighted her work to protect and expand manufacturing jobs, as well as her work to confront the opioid epidemic.
Endorsements, Op-Eds
The candidates have also been speaking out on the issues through guest columns and press releases.
Conroy has drawn attention to her work on behalf of hospital funding during the budget debate.
She’s also said she’ll protect funding for the state’s vocational-technical high schools.
Klarides-Ditria has tried to link the closing of the Derby Walmart to Democratic policies.
She’s also spoken out about the state’s vo-tech schools — but said Conroy and Democrats should take the blame for the budget deficits that put them in jeopardy.
Supporters of both candidates have also been active in announcing endorsements and sending letters of support.
Klarides-Ditria has the support of:
Klarides-Ditria’s campaign says she also has the support of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller, and Republican State Senators Rob Kane and Kevin Kelly.
Conroy has the support of:
- 105th District residents Tracy Rappa, James Garofolo, Steve Kulas, and Susan Cable
PREVIOUS PODCASTS
Klarides-Ditria called in to the Valley Indy’s weekly podcast to discuss her candidacy.
Conroy also called in to the Valley Indy’s podcast in January.
