To The Editor:

In answer to the Ballotpedia question, “Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?”, our 106th representative Mitch Bolinsky responded “Myself. I am me and voters like that.”

The lack of awareness in this answer highlights why plenty of Newtown voters palpably feel his disregard. Nearly half of them almost succeeded in voting him out when he ran in 2018 and 2020. The incumbent appears comfortably self-absorbed and unconcerned by the disconnect. It’s particularly acute this year with no public candidates forum for the 106th race. Voters must delve online for voting records and policy positions only to discover this response that speaks volumes about how he thinks of the public’s perception of him. There’s no hint of his desire to represent beyond core voters who like him because, well, he’s Mitch.

A representative who votes against the privacy rights of out-of-state women seeking legal abortions in Connecticut.

A Republican in step with party leaders’ denial of climate change while the Newtown area catastrophically floods.

A man who claims credit on his public mailers for significant funding for indoor air quality in our schools that upon review shows he voted against.

The Democratic challenger Michelle Embree Ku, has won four elections for three important Newtown boards. She’s served on two appointed state commissions. She’s a public servant and scientist. She has broad appeal to voters as someone who is genuine, credentialed and experienced, and respectful of constituents’ differing viewpoints as she represents them. Michelle role-models this regularly on our current Board of Selectmen.

Michelle has been thoughtfully earning Newtown’s vote and trust all along.

Barbara Wojcik

Sandy Hook