Several endorsements have been announced by the campaigns of Wilton candidates. This information has been compiled from press releases sent by the campaigns. The endorsements include:

Boucher Named Legislator of the Year by Fairfield County Medical Association

State Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) was presented with the Legislator of the Year Award from the Fairfield County Medical Association (FCMA) in the Association’s semi-annual meeting on Oct. 9.

The FCMA is a professional membership representing physicians from every medical specialty and practice setting as well as medical students, interns and residents. For more than 220 years, FCMA has been at the forefront of current medicine, ensuring that its members are represented in the areas of public policy, government relations and community relations.

The Association’s president, Dr. Robin Oshman, presented Sen. Boucher with a plaque and expressed the doctor’s gratitude for the senator’s sponsorship of Senate Bill 466: An Act Concerning Continuing Education of Physicians. Senator Boucher is recognized by the medical community as strong advocate for preserving the freedom of physicians in Connecticut to provide patients the quality care they deserve.

“I am honored to receive this award from the Fairfield County Medical Association,” Boucher said. “I have been a longtime advocate for the quality of care our residents receive as well as preserving the doctor patient relationship. There are some substantial barriers to this profession in our state and I am committed to continue to partner with our doctors and the medical community. They face strong headwinds as they work hard to heal their patients and manage support staff while fitting in continuing education courses. This initiative is a step in the right direction.”

The Fairfield County Medical Association also recognized Boucher for her courage and diligence in preserving the integrity of the medical liability Certificate of Merit and protecting the freedom of physicians in Connecticut to attend the medical needs of their patients.

“It is unfortunate that Medscape Medical News reports that Connecticut has become the worst place to practice medicine in the Northeast. We have much more work to do to relieve some of the pressure placed on a physician because of concerns like medical malpractice and vaccine issues,” Boucher said.

Senator Boucher represents the 26th Senate District, which includes Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport and Wilton.

Rodgerson Gains Key Mental Health Endorsement
The National Association of Social Workers Connecticut Chapter (NASW-CT) have given their endorsement to Keith Rodgerson for the Nov. 4 General Assembly election.
Rodgerson thanked NASW-CT for their endorsement, saying, “I am honored to be recognized by the NASW-CT. Social workers are on the front lines of so many of mental health issues that, as the tragedy in Sandy Hook showed us, have been ignored for way too long. Once I get to Hartford, I will work incredibly hard in making sure that we stop sweeping these issues under the carpet and actually do something to address them.”
NASW-CT represents more than 3000 members statewide and “…are committed to social policies that enhance quality of life of the residents of Connecticut.  The NASW-CT is actively involved in workforce development issues, which we will be placing a focus on in the upcoming legislative session.”
Rodgerson said that many of these priorities are very much in alignment with what he is already running behind, such as supporting the minimum wage increase, advocating for retirement security for our seniors, as well as the expansion of school based health centers and mental health care. Rogerson’s opponent, Rep. Gail Lavielle voted against increases to the minimum wage, and also voted against the creation of the CT Retirement Security Board. Stephen Karp, Executive Director of NASW-CT said, “Keith Rodgerson is a trusted voice for social justice in Connecticut. Sending him to Hartford will ensure that outstanding mental health issues will finally be addressed in a bi-partisan manner once and for all.”
Former State Senator Judith G. Freedman (26th) Endorses State Representative Gail Lavielle

Former 26th district State Senator Judith G. Freedman announced her strong endorsement of State Representative Gail Lavielle, who is running for reelection to the 143rd House district, which includes parts of Wilton, Westport, and Norwalk.

“Gail Lavielle is my State Representative, and I am proud to give her my support as she runs for reelection,” Freedman said. “Gail has proven how in touch she is with the district and her constituents. She listens to all of us.”

Freedman continued, “Gail has been tenacious regarding transportation issues and worked hard to ensure that the omnibus transportation bill in 2013 included language requiring that monies in the Special Transportation Fund would be spent only on transportation, and that the fund would not be raided for other purposes, as has been common practice.

“Gail brings her constituents’ issues to Hartford, and she delivers. Many of her proposals are now law, such as forming a bipartisan task force focused on eliminating unfunded mandates imposed by the state on school districts, cleaning up brownfields, promoting our deep-water ports to encourage the development of business, and whatever else we ask of her.

“Most people understand that legislators propose legislation, but what most do not know is that the proposals that survive the process are usually incorporated into a new committee bill which is drafted with a new bill number and with all introducers’ names, except for those of the committee chairs, removed. Gail understands the process very well, and she has been tremendously effective in getting her proposals signed into law.

“Gail Lavielle is on top of all the issues facing our district,” Freedman continued, “and has earned not only my support, but should have everyone else’s as well.”

Judith Freedman served as State Senator for the 26th Senate district (Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, and Wilton) from 1987 through 2008.

Boucher Endorsed by Connecticut League of Conservation Voters

The bipartisan Connecticut League of Conservation Voters today endorsed State Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) for re-election.

In endorsing Senator Boucher, CTLCV executive director Lori Brown, said “Connecticut’s economic and environmental quality of life have always depended on our natural resources. We are counting on our endorsed candidates to champion smart environmental policies that will protect these irreplaceable assets.”

Earlier this year, Boucher was cited by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters for a 100 percent perfect voting record on bills related to the environment. She has also been endorsed by the Sierra Club.

In response to the endorsement, Boucher said, “I take great pride in receiving this endorsement from the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters. I am fully committed to the preservation of our state’s land, air and water resources and, accordingly, have championed and supported legislation for clean water acts, brownfield remediation, open space preservation and the Long Island Sound Protection Fund. I fought to reduce air pollution by upgrading our mass transit systems and encouraging use of electric vehicles, and I wrote legislation to establish a Greenway along Rte. 7 and the Norwalk River. Connecticut’s natural environment is one of our state’s greatest equities, and we must preserve it now and for the future.”

Boucher is Chief Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Ranking member for the General Assembly’s Transportation, Education and Higher Education Committees and member of the Revenue, Finance and Bonding Committee.

First Responders Endorse Rodgerson

The Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association (UPFFA) have endorsed Democratic candidate Keith Rodgerson in his run for State Representative in the 143rd District, which encompasses Norwalk, Westport, and Wilton.

“This action is taken after careful consideration of your support for professional firefighters of the State of Connecticut and your commitment to helping to insure the health and safety of our brothers and sisters throughout the state,” stated Peter S. Cardozza, Jr., president of UPFFA, in a press release. “We are proud of our association with you and look forward to our continuing partnership.”

Rodgerson thanked the UPFFA for their support in this upcoming election. “Public safety is of great importance to me. I am thankful for this validation from all our first responders. I come from a family of Connecticut policemen and firemen. We must always ensure that those who protect us in our greatest time of need are given the support they need. They put their safety on the line for us every day, so we must always look out for them in these uncertain and challenging times.”

The UPFFA represents 60 affiliated local unions in Connecticut, comprising about 4,200 members, including Norwalk Local 830, Westport Local 1081, and Wilton Local 2233.

Retired Teachers Endorse Lavielle for Reelection

The Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut (ARTC) – PAC has endorsed State Representative Gail Lavielle (R-143) for reelection to the General Assembly’s 143rd House district.

“We encourage our members and their families to actively support your campaign. We look forward to working with you to help secure a bright future for Connecticut’s retired teachers,” wrote Michael Norman and Ellen Long, ARTC Endorsement Committee Co-Chairs, in a letter to Lavielle dated Oct. 1.

The Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut is a non-profit organization of retired teachers with 16,000 members/affiliates advocating on behalf of Connecticut’s 33,000 retired teachers. ARTC promotes the economic, professional, and social well being of Connecticut’s retired teachers.

“Connecticut’s teachers play a crucial role in ensuring the future of our students and our state, and I have enormous respect and admiration for them,” said Lavielle. “Many of my constituents are retired teachers, and it is a privilege to be an advocate for them, and for all of our senior citizens who are grappling with Connecticut’s taxes and high costs. I am honored by this endorsement, and I thank the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut for its continuing work on behalf of the teachers who have brought so much dedication, effort, and love to educating our children and to giving them the foundation they need to lead productive lives.”

Lavielle is Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Commerce Committee and the Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Transportation. She is also a member of the Appropriations, Education, and Higher Education Committees.