Democrat Moira Rader is running for election to the 98th District of the State House of Representatives. She’s also been endorsed by the Connecticut Working Families Party. Rader is seeking the seat vacated by incumbent Democrat Sean Scanlon. On Tuesday, Nov. 8, Rader will challenge Republican candidate Rich DiNardo.

Rader is a current member of the Guilford Board of Education (BOE) and has served in several capacities on the BOE as well as roles with the Democratic Town Committee (DTC) and on an elementary school Advisory Board.

In her professional life, Rader has worked as a project architect and project manager overseeing multi-million dollar construction, as well as running an interior design business. Rader was also an adjunct faculty member at Paier College of Art. She is a Guilford resident and mother of four children.

According to Rader, many of the skills developed in her career, including problem solving, management, and creative thinking; all translate to the challenges of state office. Rader said that despite her lack of state level experience, her commitment to the Guilford community and her track record of community service proves her more than capable of taking on the job.

“I have always believed in public service. It is really important as a parent and a community member to give back to the community. I have a long-running history of volunteerism in Guilford. When we first moved here, I joined the PTO and then they put me on the advisory board and then as treasurer. At the same time, I was also a volunteer at my church, and I taught Sunday school for years,” Rader said. “I later joined the DTC, and when I got involved in the community, you meet others who are really involved and those folks encouraged me to step up and do more and that’s when I ran for the Board of Education. I ran in 2017 and was re-elected last year where I am now vice-chair.”

Rader said that navigating the school system through the pandemic and around other issues facing the Board last year gave her insight and experience that she can bring to the district.

“I became more heavily involved with the overall dynamics of our community after that experience. Out of my very strong win in November [2021], we had the largest voter turnout in the state, and I received the largest number of votes on record in a municipal election. So, out of that, folks came to me from the community and asked me about running,” Rader said. “When Sean made his decision to run [for State Comptroller], he also encouraged me to consider running, along with State Senator [Christine] Cohen and other community leaders from both towns. So, I gave it some heavy thought and I said yes, because I was ready for it and it was good timing. I feel I can be of great service to this district. Not to be boastful…but I feel ready for this and I feel I have very large-scale support throughout the district. I am excited and I feel like I am ready. You have to have relationships in your community in order to represent your neighbors, and I know I have that. I feel I have the confidence of this community as well.”

The transition from town to state government won’t necessarily be easy, but her preparation for the office should be an important factor for voters, according to Rader.

“First is being prepared. And watching how Sean and Christine have navigated their roles, is extremely valuable. I’ve seen first-hand how they have conducted themselves and managed those situations and their responsibilities. Beyond that, absolutely being a Board of Education member prepares you because, in particular through the pandemic and through the challenges our Board has faced that were unique to this community, I think that prepares me well,” Rader said. “My goal has always to be the antithesis of divisive. My hope is that through all of the growing pains we’ve gone through in the last few years as a community, we will come out better and stronger. And I believe that. I do think my Board experience has prepared me to work with differing opinions and still advocate for your community and your constituents even in really challenging times. I take seriously the role of representative. This is not going to be a situation of me taking my personal agendas to Hartford. This is me going to be me being an ally and an advocate for all the people of the 98th District, wherever they land on the political spectrum.”

According to Rader, the acrimony that developed last year with some parents concerning curriculum issues in the school system and the ensuing BOE election is not something that will deter her from representing the various district voices.

“I want to be very clear about that. I think, unfortunately, what came out of the last year or so around the Board of Education race is that a small portion of our community may feel very disenfranchised and I do not want that. I think I have a proven record of trying to bring people together and to move forward with what’s best for our community, and I hope voters can trust that in me,” said Rader. “I am a very honest person and a very open person, and I work extremely hard but I’m not going to just represent those who support me. Our community needs it.”

Rader said that, if elected, she plans to focus on prioritizing strong and safe educational systems, strengthening reproductive rights, providing affordable healthcare, and increasing mental health support services. Climate issues and coastal resiliency will also be a focus.