State Sen. Kevin Kelly, a Republican, is a longtime incumbent seeking another term heading the 21st District, which includes the towns Monroe, Seymour, Shelton and Stratford. He is being challenged by Democrat, Christopher Green, a businessman and educator from Stratford.
The Sun sent questions to both candidates on issues Connecticut is facing and may face in the future to learn where they stand on the issues. Each question and the answers will be featured in an ongoing series leading up to Election Day on Nov. 8.
Abortion is a major issue around the nation. If someone in the legislature proposes a bill to ban the procedure in Connecticut, where would you stand?
Green: I am the only candidate in this race who has committed to supporting a woman’s right to choose. We are lucky in Connecticut that the legislature has laws in place to protect that right. I will continue to defend it.
My opponent did not vote on the bill passed the 2022 session to strengthen a women’s right to choose in Connecticut (HB 5414). He also voted against a bill prohibiting deceptive advertising by anti-abortion pregnancy centers in 2021 (SB 835).
Kelly: I would not support such a bill. The Supreme Court’s decision does not change a woman’s right to choose in the state of Connecticut, nor will it. In Connecticut, the protections in Roe v. Wade were codified with overwhelming bipartisan support as state law in 1990. The law is settled law here, to the point where the Governor is now urging businesses in other states to move to Connecticut because we are one of the only states where such law is a settled issue.
During my time in the legislature, I’ve been honored to work with many constituents and advocates to pass policies that support women’s rights including health care access.
I was an advocate to protect essential health benefits for women, including maternity care, and codifying them into state law. I worked with Planned Parenthood and the March of Dimes as the leading proponent to enable pregnant women to obtain health insurance and access vital prenatal care, which included overcoming Governor Malloy’s opposition.
I backed a bill requiring health insurance coverage for patients who want to preserve their eggs or sperm following a cancer diagnosis. I support equal pay for equal work. I’ve introduced legislation to fight heart disease – the number one killer of women – with better access to early screenings.
And I successfully worked with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to pass laws that enhance access to lifesaving early screening for breast cancer and ovarian cancer. I remain committed to working with all those I represent to meet the health care needs of every person in our state.
I am voting for Kelly with years of experience in supporting women’s rights over a candidate that is playing the abortion card as a way to grab attention. Experience trumps PR tactics!
I am voting for Green. He is stating how he feels on an issue many women are interested in even though you might not, Mr Leneker . When a vote on strengthening a women’s right to choose came up at the Statehouse, Kelly stepped out into the hall so he would be marked as absent rather than going on the record as a “no” in an election year. Seems like a PR tactic to me.