Return McCarty in 38th

While we haven’t looked at every state legislative race, there is a good chance that no other presents a greater generational division than the 38th House District, which encompasses Waterford and part of Montville.

In the 38th incumbent Republican state Rep. Kathleen McCarty, 68, is being challenged by Democrat Baird Welch-Collins, who is 23. Both live in Waterford.

The candidates have teaching in common. McCarty is a retired French high school teacher and formerly served on the Waterford Board of Education. Welch-Collins, the son of a pair of English teachers, is student teaching U.S. history at Norwich Free Academy as he works towards obtaining his teaching certificate.

Welch-Collins is not your typical 23-year-old, having already immersed himself in local government, winning a seat on the RTM in 2017 and serving on several town committees. It is clear he would bring a depth of knowledge on public policy that reaches beyond his years. Welch-Collins has firsthand experience about the challenges facing his generation and the factors that are driving many to build lives outside of their home state.

The Democrat told us mandating paid family leave and providing student loan forgiveness programs for graduates who commit to beginning their careers in Connecticut are steps necessary to compete with other states for this new generation.

McCarty is seeking a third term. With other members of the local delegation, she fought for the legislation that will allow Millstone Power Station, the major Waterford taxpayer, to compete with renewable energy producers that, like the nuclear plant, do not produce greenhouse gases. Millstone owner Dominion Energy said the change is necessary to keep the plant economically viable. Welch-Collins supports the legislation. In the House minority, McCarty has still been effective, working to prevent mid-year school cuts for towns in her district, and joining in a bipartisan budget passed over the governor’s opposition.

She was recently honored by the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence for her work raising awareness about that issue.

McCarty comes at issues with an open mind willing, for instance, to consider that tolls may be necessary to pay for the state’s transportation needs but unwilling to commit until she is able to evaluate the details.

Welch-Collins said tolls will be needed. We agree.

In a close call for experience over enthusiasm, the endorsement goes to Rep. Kathleen McCarty.