By Anthony Mangiafico

People are asking me why I’m running for the Democratic nomination for the 13th State Senate seat to represent Meriden, Middletown, Middlefield, and Cheshire. This is something that I want to do, and I’ve never been more prepared to represent you.

I am very proud of my record on the Middletown Common Council over the past three years. We have lowered the mill rate twice. There is progress on the river front with the master plan unveiling on July 2. We passed several environmental initiatives. We created an Anti-Racism Task Force and the LGBTQIA+ Commission, of which I chair. And just a few weeks ago, we passed a gun control resolution that will lead to guns being taken off the streets.

But I am just getting started! As your senator, I will fight to make our tax system more equitable. The child tax credit is great start, and I know it helped a lot of families, but it needs to be permanent.

Responsible gun owners are just that; responsible. But we need additional gun control to target those who commit illegal activities. We can raise the age to purchase guns, ban ghost guns and the mass purchase of guns, and require that guns have microstamping to help law enforcement solve crimes. New York just passed this, and we can pass this as well.

School safety is a priority for me. We need to keep our children safe from gun violence and give them the tools necessary to be successful. A child or teacher shouldn’t have to worry about looking down the barrel of a gun or being shot when they walk into their schools each morning, so we need to look at all measures that would enable our schools to be as safe as possible. I am in a school building every day, and this is often what I think about.

Affordable housing is sorely lacking in Connecticut. Congress is currently debating a new law called the HELPER Act, which would require mortgage companies to offer zero down payment mortgages to teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public servants. The entire mortgage would be financed. That means that young people could live in the towns they serve and start building equity in their homes on day one. If Congress can’t get this passed, then Connecticut can get it done. 

In terms of the environment, we need more solar panels, windmills, and recycling. Early indications are that the free bus ridership program is leading to increased bus users. If this works, let’s look at making that permanent.  

Women’s reproductive rights are under attack in a lot of states and Roe Vs. Wade will be overturned soon. Let’s enshrine these rights into our state Constitution, so they cannot be easily undone by future legislators.

We complain a lot about Texas, Florida, and Georgia restricting voter rights, but do you know who has some of the most restrictive voting laws in the country? We do! Let’s make no excuses absentee balloting permanent and introduce early voting.

I’ve advocated for public school funding in Hartford and in Washington D.C., speaking to senators, representatives, and state leaders. I have been able to garner millions of additional educational dollars at the state and federal level. I promise to do the same for Meriden, Middletown, Middlefield, and Cheshire.

I know how to get things done and I am ready. I am ready to fight for you. All of you. But I need your support. I am participating in the Citizens’ Election Program, and I need small donations from the district. Visit my website or social media sites for more information.

As the son of two immigrants, the first in my family to go to college, a doctor of education, and a national award-winning educator with 20 years of experience, I know what our students and families need. Let’s level the playing field and continue to move our state forward.

Lastly, I would like to give Sen. Mary Abrams a round of applause for all that she has done for our district! She has been a truly dedicated public servant.

Follow Anthony Mangiafico on Facebook at "Mangiafico for 2022" and on the web at www.anthonymangiafico.com.