Election Day is Nov. 8 and Shelton voters will have their say in three state elections — and on a local road bond.
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In the state Senate’s 21st District, which also includes Stratford, Monroe, and Seymour, incumbent Kevin Kelly faces a rematch from 2014 with Prez Palmer, an Army veteran as well as a realtor and financial adviser.
In response to a candidate questionnaire from the Hersam Acorn Network, both candidates said balancing the state budget is a priority, but offered slightly differing views on exactly how to start addressing the problem.
Kelly put the blame on spending priorities of Gov. Dannel Malloy and Democrats.
“The governor and his majority Democrats increased taxes and cut services,” Kelly said. “We need balance to those failed policies that hurt hard-working, middle-class families and the economy. First, we need more jobs, not more government.”
“We must support laws that keep and create jobs. Second, the state must spend only what it can afford and must live within its means, just like you,” he said.
Palmer said a more transparent budget process would be the best way to start curbing costs.
“A central concern of both the state of Connecticut and myself are both a balancing of the state budget and an establishment of a state fiscal priorities list with complimenting justifications for the ordered list of priorities,” Palmer said.
“This list should be publicly posted for all constituents to be aware. Why can’t we have such transparency in this era? Every dollar counts, therefore every expenditure should be justified. I plan to push for legislation for implementation of a state budget review and improvement process.”
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In the state House of Representative’s 113th District, Republican incumbent Jason Perillo faces a challenge from Democrat Adam Heller.
Perillo, who is seeking his sixth term, has won an election this year already, having defeated Shelton Planning and Zoning Chair Ruth Parkins in a GOP primary.
Click here for Heller’s Facebook page.
In a questionnaire published in the Shelton Herald, Perillo says balancing the state budget is Connecticut’s most pressing issue.
Heller, on the other hand, said it’s a lack of jobs that pay well.
Elsewhere, Republican state Rep. Ben McGorty of the 122nd District is facing a challenge from a Green Party candidate, Stratford’s Angela Capinera.
Click here for Capinera’s Facebook page.
On her campaign website, Capinera says she has not taken any money for her campaign and outlines her agenda, which includes the legalization of recreational marijuana use.
In a preview of the race from the CT Post, McGorty prioritized cutting taxes.
Capinera said the state should become a better caretaker of the environment.
$5 Million For Roads?
The election ballot also asks residents to borrow up to $5 million for road repairs, though the city has not published any information about its road plans.
