LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

One of the greatest honors of my life

It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve as your voice in Connecticut’s General Assembly. Tuesday’s midterm election proved to be a very dramatic and chaotic event in our country, our state and especially here in our Northwest Corner.

As the polls closed and various towns began reporting their numbers it was clear that our race was going to be very close. Due to the massive voter turnout and some isolated mechanical issues, it took registrars longer than usual to tabulate their numbers. In the end, however, we did come up short in our bid to be reelected for a second term.

While this news is not what we had hoped for, it’s what we’ve been dealt. Free and open elections are one of the greatest rights that can be bestowed upon us as Americans. It would be easy to hang my head in disbelief, but that is not who I am. The problems that Connecticut currently faces are far too vast to get angry, or to place blame. The voters of the Northwest Corner have spoken, and we must accept it with humility and civility.

The love that I have for our little corner of the world, for you, and for your families, will never be let go. We’ve cried together, we’ve laughed together, and we’ve cheered together. We’ve created so many wonderful memories, and I will never forget them.

Maria Horn was a formidable opponent and I congratulate her on her bid to represent the 64th House District. Over the past 8 months, during the height of the campaign season, Maria and I had the opportunity to speak together on a number of occasions. At all times, our dialogue remained cordial and respectful. Given the polarizing political climate in our country it perhaps could’ve been very easy to add to that negativity. But we refused to go that low. We stuck to the facts and I am hopeful that our debates proved to be insightful for many of you. I wish Maria and her family good luck and good health as they move into this new role.

To my family, my extended family, and my friends, I thank you for being so supportive and patient during my time in office. Our loss today in no way defines who we are or diminishes the many great things that we were able to accomplish in just two short years. My commitment and dedication to you will never waver. You’ve always been there for me, and I’m eternally grateful and forever indebted to you for that.

For those of you who know me personally, who know of the many personal adversities that I’ve navigated through in years past, you understand that life has a tendency to throw me the occasional curve ball. Well, this is another one of those moments. It’s now time for me to step back out of the batter’s box, look down the third base line for that next call, and realize that someday soon I will have another chance to serve you. I love you and God bless you all.