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10/18/2024 01:34 PMREGIONAL
When voters in Clinton, Killingworth, and Westbrook head to the polls this Election Day, they will decide who will be the representative for the 35th district in Hartford. The Harbor News caught up with both incumbent Republican Chris Aniskovich and Democratic challenger Cinzia Lettieri to hear their thoughts on the issues.
The 35th House District represents Clinton, Killingworth, and northern Westbrook. Both Aniskovich and Lettieri are residents of Clinton. For the last two years, the district has been represented by Aniskovich.
While much of the attention during the past several months has been focused on the Presidential race, local elections are also critically important and arguably more impactful to the day-to-day lives of residents in the state.
The Harbor News spoke with both candidates about why wanted to run, their accomplishments, and what issues they want to work on if elected.
Chris Aniskovich – Republican
Aniskovich is finishing his first term as a state representative and said the reason he wanted to run again was to give the residents of the district a voice about what is happening in the state.
“I just felt the district overall needed better visibility up in Hartford—someone who would represent all three towns—and I felt I was best suited to put politics aside and focus on the needs of the district,” Aniskovich said.
In Hartford, Aniskovich has been a member of the the Banking, Commerce, and General Law committees. Locally, Aniskovich has been a member of the Clinton Town Council since 2019. In the past, Aniskovich has served on the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) and Board of Assessment Appeals. Outside of politics, he has served as the president of Clinton Youth Football. Previously, he’s also served as a board member and coach for Little League and a volunteer basketball coach. Professionally, Aniskovich is a mortgage broker at Security Financial Mortgage Group in Clinton, which he also owns.
Regarding his time in office, Aniskovich said he feels proud about the visibility he has had both in the district and at various events and in Hartford.
“It was great to able to be a part of the discussions up there and be given an opportunity to speak for the people in our district. The most important thing I’ve learned is to listen. I have no problem talking to anyone,” Aniskovich said.
When asked for an example of an accomplishment he was proud of getting for the district, Aniskovich said that he was able to help get funding for building maintenance at Vista Life Innovations in Westbrook, municipal building renovations in Killingworth, and town beach projects in Clinton.
If elected to another term, Aniskovich said the first issue he wants to tackle is the affordability of the state, specifically when it comes to items like the cost of groceries and electricity.
“The Republican Caucus asked for a special session. We want to use funds that are available to help people,” Aniskovich said.
Another issue which Aniskovich said is important to him is giving towns “local control” over items like zoning and education.
“I want to make sure we fight state mandates that fight local control. Who better to know and decide what that town needs than the people that live there?” Aniskovich asked.
Aniskovich said he would work to increase mental health support to troubled youth in the state.
“We need to make sure we have a robust discussion about mental health. Just providing an outlet to talk is important. We have fantastic resources in Clinton, but statewide, we need more psychologists, therapists, and resource officers. We have to give them proper funding,” said Aniskovich, noting that programming would need funding, too.
While politics have become increasingly divisive and occasionally vitriolic at a national level, Aniskovich said he does not see that as a problem for him.
“I think my record as an elected official is good on that topic. You don’t get anything done if you don’t work in a bipartisan matter. If we do the best for the people, we all win. I don’t vote party line. I vote in the best interest of the people,” Aniskovich said.
For more information on Aniskovich and his campaign, visit: www.cthousegop.com/aniskovich and State Representative Chris Aniskovich on Facebook.
Cinzia Lettieri – Democrat
Lettieri said she was interested in running for state representative because she sees “a need in the district.”
“We have neglected infrastructure in the district. I’ve always been involved in the community wherever I’ve lived, and I think our district needs more of a presence in Hartford,” said Lettieri.
When asked for an example of what she meant by neglected infrastructure, Lettieri pointed to ongoing septic issues in downtown Clinton and Westbrook, as well as the Rocky Ledge area in Clinton and Safe Harbor in Westbrook.
Lettieri is currently a member of the Clinton PZC, the Water Pollution Control Commission (WPCC), and the Clinton Democratic Town Committee. Along with politics, Lettieri volunteers with the Girl Scouts in Westbrook. A Clinton native and graduate of The Morgan School, Lettieri returned to Clinton in 2021 after a brief stint in Westbrook which followed several years in the Seattle area. Professionally, Lettieri teaches 5th grade in Hamden. Lettieri has 15 years of education policy work and advocacy, mostly from her time in Seattle.
While she isn’t a current member of the legislature, Lettieri said that she is still experienced in that arena.
“My master’s degree was in education policy, and I have worked with the state legislature on both sides of the aisle. Being a legislator is advocacy work, which I’ve been doing my whole life. I’m very well acclimated with the legislative process,” Lettieri said.
Lettieri said that due to her background in policy work, she has been able to help Clinton address some of its long-term needs as a member of the WPCC, where she worked to help the town receive $500,000 in federal funding to design a downtown wastewater collection system and treatment facility.
“That helps satisfy a consent order the town has been under since the 90s. Due to my time in education policy, I’m very well acclimated with the grant process and how to find money,” Lettieri said.
Lettieri also said she that has been working with the PZC to update the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development.
In addition to infrastructure, one issue which Lettieri said she would like to work on if elected is women’s healthcare.
“Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of death for women in the United States. We are seeing more women diagnosed earlier [who] need earlier access to mammograms, as well as other issues like more postpartum and menopause care,” Lettieri said.
Lettieri said she would also like to work on expanding trade school training for young residents who are not planning on going to college.
“We did a complete disservice neglecting our trades. We need to make sure our students know about a career options available outside of four-year college,” Lettieri said.
A third issue which Lettieri brought up was making the state more affordable, especially for seniors.
“That might mean expanding credits to not tax social security. We’d have to look at it,” said Lettieri.
In regard to the current political climate at the national level, Lettieri said that she would not let that affect her in Hartford.
“I am all for reaching across the aisle to make the best decision regardless of party lines. This is about representing the voices of Clinton, Westbrook, and Killingworth, and that will always come before a political party for me,” said Lettieri.
To learn more about Lettieri, visit votelettieri.com, follow @cinzialettierict on Instagram and Facebook, or email votelettieri@gmail.com.