CHESHIRE - Elizabeth Esty knows she has an uphill battle in her bid for state representative of the 103rd district. She is facing four-term incumbent Al Adinolfi - but says his strength, experience, might be a weakness.

The state needs "fresh eyes," Esty said, in looking for creative ways to stretch the state budget.

"We need to be very demanding about what works," she said. Both experience and new ideas are needed. "We're at a point where we really don't have a mix. Incumbents are virtually guaranteed to win in our present system."

Adinolfi pointed to his 8-year record of bringing state money to the town to prove his ability to get things done.

"My record is there," he said. "I'm constantly working with constituent problems."

Adinolfi supported accreditation for The Legion of Christ College of Humanities in Cheshire, which allowed the town to receive $190,000 in state funds. Adinolfi also obtained state grants for the skate park across from Cheshire High School and the Boulder Knoll property.