New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Candidates named in 88th, 91st House District races
HAMDEN — Republicans and Democrats have unanimously chosen their respective candidates for local state
House districts.
Incumbent Democratic state Rep. Josh Elliott recieved his party’s nomination for the 88th District seat at the recent Democratic Town Committee convention, while Republicans Tuesday unanimously endorsed challenger Kathy Hoyt.
Hamden Democrats also unanimously endorsed incumbent state Rep. Michael D’Agostino for the 91st District seat.
Elliott has held the 88th District seat since 2016 and is a business owner in Hamden. Hoyt, also a small-business owner in town and longtime resident, announced her candidacy in February.
DTC member Sana Shah nominated Elliott, saying he’s been a “powerful advocate for Hamden, continuously pushes inititatives to ensure equity and justice and is a fierce ally to communities of color.”
Shah pointed to Elliott’s advocacy in criminal justice reform, voting rights and restructuring Connecticut’s tax system, and said he can play a key role in helping the town recover from the economic crisis brought on by the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“More than ever we need a progressive leader to do what’s best for Hamden and all those in Connecticut who are relegated to the margins,” she said. “Josh (Elliott) has the exeperience, knowledge and passion to be that leader.”
DTC member and former Legislative Council member Cory O’Brien seconded Elliott’s nomination.
“Since Josh (Elliott) won his first term, he has never been afraid to introduce progressive ideas into the conversations and to start the fight for those progressive changes even when he knows there’s no chance the changes are possible today,” O’Brien said. “By interjecting these progressive ideas into the conversation, he’s laying the groundwork for these changes to be possible tomorrow.”
During the convention, Elliott said after his successes with his fellow representatives on achieving paid family medical leave and a higher minimum wage, he is going to shift his attention to criminal justice and voting issues, as well as continuing to push for tax equity in next year’s budget.
“One big fear I have is walking away from this pandemic without making any of these changes and that our overreliance on our regressive property tax will continue to get worse,” he said. He’s looking to gather support from colleagues, town committees and legislative bodies, and organizations from across the state to push Gov. Ned Lamont to make changes.
Elliott thanked the committee for giving him a platform to work on the issues.
On the Republican side, RTC Chairman Frank LaDore endorsed Hoyt ahead of the convention then nominated her.
“Kathy (Hoyt) is already a community pillar in Hamden,” LaDore said. “From her work on the board of the Hamden Chamber of Commerce to her contributions locally as a small-business owner, she is someone that is in touch with Hamden values. Kathy (Hoyt) will be a great partner for our community, business leaders, hospitals, veterans, and all the residents of the 88th District.”
“Hamden’s 88th needs a change, a fresh start and a representative that will listen to the voice of the people, someone who will go to Hartford and fight for the best interests of Hamden without personal agendas,” Hoyt said. “I will be that advocate. “For responsible government, for fiscal responsibility, and for a healthier business climate in Hamden and Connecticut. The 88th district this November has a choice. This choice is about what matters to us as a community. I am excited to be that choice.”
Legislative Councilwoman Marjorie Bonadies seconded Hoyt’s nomination, saying she’s known the candidate for many years.
“She (Hoyt) is a go-getter,” Bonadies said. “She will fight for what she believes is right. She will make an outstanding state representative and I truly believe we need Kathy fighting for us and our families in Hartford.”
For the 91st District seat, Legislative Councilman Brad Macdowall nominated D’Agostino and DTC member Phil Nista seconded.
“Mike D’Agostino has show himself be a champion townwide on everything from environmental issues to education and I strongly appreciate the work that he’s done, especially on education, fighting for necessary renovations to additional cost-sharing dollars that we’ve been missing for so long,” Macdowall said.
Nista said residents of D’Agostino’s district know he’s a great advocate for the town and a voice for Hamden at the state Capitol.
D’Agostino said now more than ever, Hamden is going to face some very difficult times financially because of the COVID-19 crisis.
“It’s going to be all hands on deck to at least have Hamden held harmless in state aid,” he said. “We’ll be doing everything we can over the next months and years and that’s what we’ve always done.”
D’Agostino was first elected in 2012 and served 13 years on the Hamden Board of Education.