Journal Inquirer

Nov. 1, 2016

Supporting job creation is a common focus for four House candidates who have no opponents in the election as they look to their inevitable terms.
There’s no contest for seats in the 11th, 15th, 57th, and 55th House districts, which feature, respectively, Jeff Currey, D-East Hartford; David Baram, D-Bloom-field; Christopher Davis, R-Ellington, and Republican Robin Green of Marlborough.
Currey seeks third term
Completing his second term representing East Hartford, Manchester, and South Windsor, Currey said he would continue bipartisan efforts to help 11th District homeowners with failing concrete foundations. Alongside Rep. Kelly J.S. Luxenberg, D-Manchester, he plans to continue participating in forums and urging the governor’s office to oversee the matter, he said.
In February, Currey co-sponsored a bill to legalize and regulate the retail sale of marijuana. His support was meant to allow an “honest” discussion among the state and residents, he said.
As a member of the East Hartford Board of Education, Currey said he plans to continue advocating for education funding. He helped spearhead a bipartisan initiative to enact the country’s first 2-Generation School Readiness and Workforce program serving low-income families.
Currey will continue monitoring casino proposals in and near the 11th District, as the process may lead to a vote in the upcoming session. He has met with East Hartford developers and representatives from MGM over the matter, he said.
Over the last two years, Currey has learned legislators must strive to make the state a place where people want to move to. The state must find innovative ways to improve the state’s workforce and business climate for the next generation, he said.
Baram to begin third term
Baram, who represents the 15th District covering parts of Windsor and all of Bloomfield, will begin his third term in office continuing to draft legislation that supports consumer protection.
As a lawyer, legislative leaders have asked Baram to involve himself in complex legal issues. The Bloomfield native said he takes pride in his assignments as chairman of General Law, and member of the Judiciary and Banks committees.
In 2011, Baram helped author and negotiate a bill concerning municipal liability for recreational use. Over the past few years, he has also helped secure 33 small business loans for businesses in the 15th District, he said.
Baram said he is at the forefront of protecting environmental standards, open space, animal rights, and education funding,
“I listen to people to resolve individual problems,” he said. “In order to get support you must reach out to a large coalition — that means compromise.”
Green a newcomer
In the 55th District, Robin Green, owner of Discovery Learning Centers in Columbia, Hebron, and Marlborough, said she wanted to run to give back to her community.
The eventual Republican representative will represent her hometown of Marlborough, Andover, Bolton, and Hebron.
She earned a bachelor’s in human services from Springfield College at the end of her tenure working in the nonprofit sector from 1984 to 2001.
Green said she plans to use her expertise in education to support early childhood development as one of her first orders of business. She added her three centers are “fiscally sound,” proving her financial acumen.
On the campaign trail, residents made it known to Green they are unhappy about the state’s financial situation and its use of entitlements. Green said she would work to discourage these trends.
Davis focuses on ecomony
Incumbent Christopher Davis, representing Ellington and East Windsor in the 57th District, also said he intends to focus on improving the state’s job market, economy, and budget. The key, Davis says, is solving the budget crisis without raising taxes — unlike the state’s last two record-setting tax increases.
In his fourth term, Davis said he would ensure homeowners in the 57th District suffering from failing concrete foundations receive adequate support. He recently formed a bipartisan group of legislators to meet with the governor’s office and local leaders to find solutions.
Davis’ state committee assignments include Finance, Revenue, and Bonding, Energy and Technology, and Housing.
As Democrats, Currey and Baram are supporting Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for president. Baram cited her experience, temperament, and sound judgment.
On the Republican side, Davis said he is leaning toward voting for Republican nominee Donald J. Trump after the businessman recently revealed his 28-point-plan for America. Green, however, said she is undecided about her choice for president.