Wadsworth Kicks Off Campaign

Supporters joined State Rep. Bill Wadsworth at Thursday evening to formally kick off his campaign for the 21st House District.

Campaign manager Jon Landry, whom Wadsworth credited with helping him take the 21st seat, long held by Democrats, said the campaign was ready to go full-speed ahead.

Andrew Roraback, the Republican-endorsed Fifth Congressional District candidate, joined the kickoff, offering his praise of Wadsworth’s performance in his first term.

“Farmington Republicans are a special breed,” he said. “You all know what a great job Bill has done for you in this community. But what I may know better than you is what a great job Bill had done for you under the golden dome early in the morning and late at night.

“He has been the face of Farmington. All of you need him to be your voice at the capitol.”

Wadsworth, who served on the Farmington Town Council for more than 10 years, said that he is proud of the town he serves, a town – to borrow a phrase from Farmington High School - that is under a protective bubble.

Wadsworth referenced the town’s top education system, public safety, road maintenance and a greater number of jobs than residents.

“Farmington is a great place to live and work and that doesn’t just happen. It was created by decades of consistent, strong, Republican leadership,” Wadsworth said. “It’s a system I believe in, a system that works, that I brought to the state capitol.”

Though the Republican agenda was largely discounted by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy – particularly the GOP’s proposed budget – Wadsworth said he voted ‘yes’ 74 percent of the time. And that on a perfect voting record.

He gave credit for his perfect attendance record to fiancée Irene Van, who was injured with Wadsworth in a in April. He thanked Van for encouraging him to continue going to the capitol “day after day after day.”

He touted the passage of a bill limiting liability for municipalities on recreational space and also the UConn Health Center expansion, which he called “flagship legislation for Farmington” that would be a $1 billion investment.

Looking ahead, Wadsworth said his priorities for next term would include addressing unfunded mandates, the state’s educational achievement gap, meaningful job creation through reduction in regulations and mandates. Finally, he said, he hoped to provide the state’s children the same opportunities he had.