2022 has been an important year for Connecticut state elections, with the governor’s race, one of two senator’s races, and all five House of Representative races occurring this past November.
The 2022 Election for Connecticut’s governor finished with the re-election of Mr. Ned Lamont from the Democratic Party.
Governor Lamont’s inauguration included his delivery of the State of the State address, in which he shared his vision for a Connecticut with more affordable access to health insurance, utility costs, and housing.
“Come on insurance companies, don’t just pass along those hospital and pharma costs. Let’s reward patients and companies who seek treatment where they get the best quality and the best value,” the governor said. Lamont also provided guidelines to decrease utility costs “by expanding our wind power, extending our nuclear power, pushing hard to get access to Canadian hydropower, and making our homes more energy efficient.”
Lamont acknowledged that “the biggest slam to our affordability and economic growth is housing, or the lack thereof,” and provides that local control will be key to effective housing increase in Connecticut.
With his first pledge in November to enact legislative changes such as extending the state’s 25-cent-per-gallon gas tax holiday and other provisions, Lamont looks to make Connecticut “a ladder to opportunity for everyone regardless of background.”
On a similar note, Mr. Richard Blumenthal was re-elected this year for his third term in the Senate. Blumenthal, who has served in elected office since 1984, received a 57.5% majority vote in the recent election, returning to Congress as a senator of the Democratic Party.
During his previous terms, Blumenthal has been active in both domestic and international affairs. On a domestic level, he got the “burn pits” bill passed on the Senate floor, which pressed to expand benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and toxins while serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also pushed for the bipartisan gun safety bill that was led by Senator Chris Murphy, the other Democratic senator from Connecticut.
Internationally, Blumenthal voiced opposition to Saudi Arabia’s decision to decrease oil production and he pushed to secure more aid for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. Moreover, as thousands of flights were canceled daily over the holidays, Blumenthal proposed the Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights, which would ensure that airlines give refunds and compensate extra costs caused by delayed or canceled flights and lost luggage.
The members of the 118th Congress were sworn in on Friday with all five representatives of Connecticut representing the Democratic Party. This included John Larson of the First Congressional District, Joe Courtney of the Second Congressional District, Rosa DeLauro of the Third Congressional District, Jim Himes of the Fourth Congressional District, and Jahana Hayes of the Fifth Congressional District.
Representatives Larson and DeLauro recently voted against Republican legislation that reduced funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), hindering its ability to investigate wealthy tax cheats and fraudsters. “What Republicans are proposing here is shielding the wealthiest people in this nation and corporations,” explained Larson. DeLauro also voted to create a select committee on competition between the U.S. and China in support of national security, and Himes showed strong support for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by the House of Representatives. He stated, “I consider funding our national defense programs to keep this country safe to be one of our most important responsibilities as members of Congress.”
Hayes has recently expressed disapproval of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which bans legal abortion. She criticized the bill, stating, “I support a woman’s right to choose. This anti-abortion legislation is deliberately misleading and perpetuates harmful myths about essential health care.” To her constituents of the Fifth, Hayes declared, “I vow to continue to do my part in building a brighter and stronger future for all.”
The newly elected governor, senator, and representatives have already begun to enforce change and implement their ideas at both the state and national levels. Although they are a fully Democratic group, their political beliefs spark a wide range of perspectives on issues such as living costs and abortion rights. Connecticut awaits the changes that they will make in office.
Graphic by Yujin Kim ’23/The Choate News
