I write to express my strong support for electing Valerie Horsley as our next State Senator for the 17th Assembly District – Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Naugatuck, Woodbridge and Hamden – and to urge my friends and neighbors in the district to support her too.
I support Valerie because of her activism and profound understanding of the issues impacting our diverse district. Her professional skill sets as a critical thinker and team player proves that she is ready to work in a collaborative setting to carry out real solutions that will lead our district and state forward.
Valerie has been a tireless organizer and advocate for children, women and minorities. As a working parent, she knows how critical childcare is in continuing to provide for one’s family. For this reason, she worked diligently with an early childhood education center, Alphabet Academy, and her employer, Yale University, to launch a new childcare facility for Yale faculty and staff.
As a grassroots organizer, Valerie founded Action Together Connecticut, a grassroots coalition whose mission is to engage, mobilize and organize residents to be active members within their community. She also partnered with IRIS to support refugee families in the Greater New Haven area and organized events to educate and involve our community on the injustices within our criminal justice system and how such injustices greatly impact minorities. Additionally, Valerie was instrumental in the passage of this year’s legislation that limits solitary confinement and strengthens our state’s efforts to bring fair treatment to incarcerated women. So, you see for Valerie, her values are our values. She fights for all.
Valerie also has a deep understanding of the connection between the local issues we face and how state government plays a role. For instance, like many towns and cities in Connecticut, Ansonia’s budget issues caused leaders to reduce education spending that resulted in teacher layoffs, which negatively impacts our children and community for the long-term. Our children and communities need and deserve better; and as an educator and advocate for public schools, Valerie is ready to bring her expertise to Hartford to improve our state’s efforts in ensuring equitable and quality education to all.
I am confident that as our next State Senator, Valerie will continue to lead on these issues and advocate for all. On August 14th, we will have a choice to vote for a leader with new ideas and the training and disposition to make real change.
Valerie’s time is now! Our time is now!
For more information about Dr. Horsley’s campaign, please visit: valerieforct.com
Leslie Navarrete
Ansonia, CT
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