Norwalk: State Senate Race Shifts

With long time State Senator Judith Freedman- R Westport retiring, a shift in local races is today’s news. State Rep Toni Boucher is jumping into the 26th Senatorial district race, which will now pit Boucher against John Hartwell. The 26th covers the towns of Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport and Wilton.

Boucher read this statement at the press conference held yesterday in Wilton.

Judi Freedman has been an absolutely outstanding senator who is beloved by her constituents.  I want to thank Senator Freedman for her dedication and long service to our district and for fighting the good fight for us for more than two decades.  She has earned our deep gratitude and respect and has provided a legacy and a role model that will inspire all of us in state and local government for many years to come.

You know, all of those things that Senator Freedman mentioned that she did during her 22 years in office – she really did them.  And they all took hard work.  Things like combating Super 7, creating Charter Schools, and improving our educational systems were initiatives that Judi was instrumental in getting off the ground, and then she stuck with them to make sure they came to fruition.  She has lived through so much with us, and we must all remember her many achievements.

I am truly honored by Senator Freedman’s endorsement.  In my decision to seek our party’s nomination as its candidate for the 26th district Senate seat, I am profoundly conscious of the enormous responsibility that comes with this office.  It has been a very great privilege for me to represent New Canaan, Norwalk, and Wilton in the House for the last 12 years.  I hope now that I may look forward to another great privilege – that of building on Senator Freedman’s solid foundation of trust and dedicated advocacy to represent the seven towns of the 26th district in the Senate.

Wilton and Norwalk Republicans will have to scramble to find a new candidate to seek Bouchers seat, the 143rd covers Wilton and part of Norwalk. No names have been put forth. On the Democratic side, Peggy Reeves, has announced she was seeking the Democratic nomination  to run for the seat.

source: Advocate, Veteran lawmaker Freedman won’t run, By Brian Lockhardt, April 22, 2008