17th District Dem primary pits experience vs. change

HAMDEN — The primary Tuesday includes a Democratic face-off to run for the state’s 17th Senate District between Jorge Cabrera, the party-endorsed candidate, and Justin Farmer, a Hamden councilman who petitioned for the ballot slot.

This year, because of the pandemic, voters could elect to vote by mail instead of in person.

The winner in the primary will run against incumbent Republican Sen. George Logan, R-Ansonia, in the general election in November. The 17th District includes Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge.

Cabrera is a business representative and director of organizing for United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 919. He won a

Democratic primary in 2018 to face Logan in the general election, falling 77 votes short of a victory in the latter.

“The second time around, you learn so much,” Cabrera said. “I think the voters have a familiarity they didn’t have before since I’ve shared my values and the work I’ve done for 25 years. There’s more of a platform and a base from which to reach people.”

This time around, the issues are similar, but there’s a heightened level of struggle people have been facing because of the pandemic, Cabrera said.

“This is really about who can best represent this district and the current incumbent hasn’t done that,” Cabrera said. “I hear it all the time — access to health care, supporting our schools, and opening up trades, so that college isn’t the only option. That’s what I hear from voters constantly.

Cabrera has been endorsed by the Working Families Party, Bethany Democrats, the Derby Democratic Town Committee, Beacon Falls Democrats, the Woodbridge Democratic Town Committee and about a dozen labor and trade unions.

“We feel we’re in a good position,” Cabrera said. “We’re still working hard, of course, and will until the very end, but we’ve got our plan and executed it.”

Farmer also has fought a hard campaign.

“I think we have a good shot,” Farmer said. “We fought from a campaign that political insiders didn’t take seriously.”

Farmer represents Hamden’s 5th District on the Legislative Council, where he’s been an advocate for environmental issues, policing and equitable economic development. Throughout his campaign, Farmer has been a proponent of regionalization efforts, LGBTQ and social justice, and voting equity.

“We have changed the conversation in the state of Connecticut with this election and I feel there’s a lot more work to be done, so I’m exited to continue that work past Aug. 11, regardless of what happens,” Farmer said.

“We probably have the biggest campaign that’s existed for a state-level race and it’s all grassroots,” Farmer said. “It’ people coming together for a moment of change. It’s inspiring to be around young people who are ready for change. A lot of people are having a hard time getting young people out.

“I’m excited and ready for Tuesday,” Farmer said. “A lot of the conversations we’re having is people want to see change.”

Farmer, 25, said even though people older than him might not share all the same views, they’re happy to see young people working for change.

Farmer said the honesty he’s shared with voters has helped him make inroads with the communities throughout the district and people know where he stands on issues because of his actions.

He’s been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Votes! CT, Connecticut Young Democrats, Democratic Socialists of America, Run For Something, Hamden Action Now, Sunrise Connecticut, Sunrise New Haven and the Yale Endowment Justice Coalition.

Cabrera has campaigned as the candidate who’s been around the block politically.

“The biggest distinction is I have a longer resume of experience,” Cabrera said. “I’ve been doing this for 25 years, helping workers get better wages and working in the legislature as an aide so I’m in a much better position to work in government to get things done. I have the experience because I’ve been doing it for so long.”

Farmer is running as an agent of change.

“This election, November especially, people have to decide where they want the country to go and the fact we’ve inspired a ton on young people, this is what we need,” Farmer said. “We need them to have a place in the system. We’ve done the same thing decade after decade and if we want to see the change we want, it starts with the younger generation.”