Hot Race To Replace Ted Kennedy One Of Election Big Ones

When the national news settled that Democrat Ted Kennedy Jr. was stepping down from the 12th Senate district that represents Branford, Madison, Guilford, Durham, North Branford and Killingworth, it was quickly replaced by the equally big news that’s two high profile personalities in their own right wanted to replace Kennedy.

On the Democratic side there is Christine Hunter Cohen of Guilford, owner of Cohen’s Bagel Company in Madison, a long-time community activist and education advocate and member of the Guilford Board of Education. Prior to founding her own company, Cohen was a marketing and global planning manager at the Stanley Works of New Britain.

On the Republican side there is Adam Greenberg, a former Guilford High School sports star who is best known for making it to Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, on the first pitch Greenberg ever saw as a Chicago Cub he was struck in the head by a 92 mile per hour fastball, leading to an early end to his career.

Greenberg went on to found Lurong Living, a nationwide health and wellness company in 2010. He also works as a motivational speaker and wrote a book about his baseball journey, which ended in the minor leagues in Bridgeport. He was never the same player after suffering from a compound skull fracture after being hit by the pitch.

Kennedy, the son of the late Massachusetts senator Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy, became chairman of the American Association of People with Disabilities last June. Kennedy, who lost one of his legs as a child, said he wanted to devote more time to helping those with disabilities.

While Kennedy easily won his senate races against the same Republican opponent - Madison Selectman Bruce Wilson - 12th District voters have proved their independence.

For example in the districts three biggest towns - Madison, Guilford and Branford - the top elected positions are filled by Republicans in Madison and Branford and a Democrat in Guilford.

Adding even more significance to the race is the current makeup of the state Senate, which is evenly split 18-18 between Republicans and Democrats.

On some of the hot button issues the next General Assembly is expected to tackle here is where the two stand.

On legalizing recreational marijuana, Cohen said: In order for me to support the legalization, regulation and taxation any legislation must ensure that protections would be put in place to keep it out of the hands of children and that revenues raised by its taxation would be used to fund treatment and support services to combat Connecticut’s opioid epidemic.”

Greenberg is more adamant in opposition.

"Legalizing just to generate revenue without taking into account the serious consequences is the wrong approach,” Greenberg said. “As a father I worry about the influence and negative impact on our children's' development."

On the issue of tolls, Greenberg is against and Cohen is in favor of plans that hit the wallets of non Connecticut drivers.

“I am opposed to tolls under any circumstances,” Greenberg said. “There has been more than sufficient funds to repair our roads, bridges and other critical needs but politicians have simply used it to cover their mismanagement.”

Cohen said she would support a toll plan “that would institute tolling in a way that protects Connecticut drivers and ensures out-of-state drivers start to pay their fair share to maintaining our infrastructure. Additionally, we must support the tightening of the special transportation lockbox through the constitutional amendment referendum on November 6th.”

On the issue of regionalization/consolidation, Cohen said while she believes monies can be saved by regionalizing “certain services” and that the more affluent suburban towns have an obligation to help the less well off cities in Connecticut, “I don’t believe in blank checks or bailouts - it’s not fair to suburban taxpayers and it does not address the systemic municipal financial issues that exist in some of the larger urban centers.”

Greenberg said: “There are hundreds of mandates and rules that are hurting all cities and towns, rich and poor, from delivering services and keeping the cost of living affordable. He added: “It’s not fair for well managed communities to pay for those which are inefficient and or corrupt.”

Both Greenberg and Cohen said they ready to work with the next governor, whoever he is and whichever party he’s from. “We need more collaboration in Hartford,” said Cohen. “We must work together to reduce the cost of living, give people the opportunity to prosper and provide the essentials to guarantee that - solid education, lower taxes and safe streets,” said Greenberg.

On gun laws and 2nd Amendment issues, Cohen said: “I am proud to say that I am a Moms Demand Action Candidate of Distinction and endorsed by Connecticut Against gun Violence. While Connecticut has some of the tougher gun laws in the country, gun violence is still the second leading cause of death amongst children and teens in our state.”

Greenberg’s position on the same issue?

“Our gun laws are very strict and they should be,” he said. “But we must also do more in the area of mental health and treatment to prevent some of the tragic losses of life in recent history,” Greenberg said.

Greenberg said one issue he is trying to drum home on the campaign trail “is it’s incredibly important to restore trust in our public institutions and to stop backroom deals that simply pass our problems off to the next generation. We must address long-term debt, our institutional costs and allow people to keep more of their hard earned money,” he said.

Cohen said an issue she hears about all the time on the campaign is economic stagnation in Connecticut.

“Small businesses are the economic engine of our state, and as a small business owner myself, I understand what barriers impede growth and know what is required to enable them to prosper. I believe there are fees like the business entity tax and other red tape that can be eliminated,” Cohen said.