To the Editor:

Serving as your state Senator for the past 16 years has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.

Yet there comes a time when a fresh perspective is needed, so as I move on to new opportunities, I want to state emphatically that the best person to serve as senator of the 28th District is Tony Hwang.

I’ve had the opportunity to observe Tony as a community leader in Fairfield for many years, and for the past six years, as a colleague in the Connecticut General Assembly. I’ve been more than impressed.

While political partisanship in Hartford has threatened to derail meaningful action on some of the most important issues facing our state, Tony has been a consistent and powerful force in building consensus. Time and again, he has put public service above politics and demonstrated true character and integrity to get the job done for the people of Connecticut.

The way a candidate for office runs his or her campaign speaks volumes about their character and Tony, unlike his opponent, has not engaged in any negative ads or attacks. Tony is running a positive campaign that is focused on the issues.

His opponent and her Democratic colleagues have orchestrated a coordinated campaign to undermine Tony’s strong record of support of Metro-North and transportation projects by criticizing him for voting against a $14 million allocation for Metro-North. Those same opponents fail to mention that they supported a $550 million busway from New Britain to Hartford, which diverted hundreds of millions of dollars from Metro-North, or that the $14 million appropriation was part of a $2.4 billion bonding resolution, which only put our state further into debt.

I voted against that same bonding package because I know what Tony knows, that Connecticut’s excessive borrowing is making it virtually impossible for our residents to afford to live in this great state.

Tony is a man of character, willing to stand up, take on tough positions and not walk out on important votes. That’s integrity. That’s the kind of senator I’ve tried to be, and that’s the kind of senator Tony will be.

Perhaps the most powerful example of his effectiveness was when he rallied more than 70 legislators to support and pass an amendment that preserved the CT Rail Commuter Council’s authoritative role as the legislative watchdog for Metro-North. Given the massive and tragic failures we’ve experienced on our trains over the past few years, and the critical role our transportation infrastructure plays in our economy, it’s essential to have a Senator like Tony Hwang, who has a demonstrated record of working in a bipartisan manner to get things done.

Tony also has an unquestionable ability to connect with people. His smile is omnipresent and genuine. His motivation to serve is sincere and pure. He is someone we can trust.

I’m proud to call Tony my friend, and I’ll be even more proud to call him my state senator. I hope you’ll join me in voting for Tony Hwang.

John P. McKinney

State Senator

South Pine Creek Road, Fairfield                            October 20, 2014