Elliott, Pace and a revised legislative charter: the race to Tuesday’s general election

Hamden residents will be running to the polls for the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Voters will cast their votes for the state representative and approval of the town’s revised charter.

Republican candidate, Mike Pace challenges incumbent state representative Josh Elliott for the 88th Connecticut State House of Representatives district seat.  

Pace plans to enhance law enforcement and advocate for small businesses and parents’ voices in the Hamden education system. Elliott is running for his fourth term and looks to continue criminal reform work, regulate marijuana usage and increase the minimum wage.

Bryan Anderson, a previous economic development director and mayoral special assistant for Hamden is “definitely going in person and can’t wait” to vote on Tuesday.

Anderson thinks of Elliott to be “the quintessential representative.”

“Josh has done a really good representative (on) a number of issues, he’s in touch with his constituents,” Anderson said. “He’s been a very clear voice on a number of progressive issues.”

Anderson grew up in Hamden and now lives in Milford. He has served on Milford’s Board of Aldermen for eight years. However, Anderson follows Hamden’s issues very closely. 

“I’ve always been concerned that the southern end of town doesn’t get the attention that it needs in order to develop economically and provide a solid base for residents in those neighborhoods,” Anderson said. “I’m also concerned about community input, particularly around issues that concern residents (may) have. (If) they feel that they have the outlets to have their concerns addressed.”

However, Steven Tomasi, a Hamden resident for 21 years, is looking for a change in representation this coming election. 

“I do not like where the democrat party is leading us,” Tomasi said. “I don’t like the incessant liberalism, that they’re so blatant about showing in everything they do. Everything from the board of education to second amendment rights, they spend money at a phenomenal pace.”

A brochure of Hamden’s proposed charted revisions will be available during the election. Voters can decide whether or not to adopt it. 

The revised charter includes changes such as increasing the mayor and town clerk’s term to four years instead of two starting in 2025. 

District 8 legislative council representative, Ted Stevens is in favor of extending the term despite the setback of the town being left with a representative they may not like. 

“The criticism that some people have is that if you have bad personnel, you’re stuck with them for four years, absolutely true, that’s a situation we hope to avoid,” Stevens said.

Stevens said the four-year terms would allow the mayor to fulfill their campaign and “give them a chance to do it.”

“It’s tough to judge an executive, I think, after two years in the office, especially in a town like Hamden, where we do have a lot of issues going on,” Stevens said. “It just gives the mayor and the clerk a better chance to enact the agenda that they were elected for. Also, there are not appointed positions, they’re in the office because people want them to be there.”

Another revision to the charter includes establishing that boards and commissions reflect the diversity of Hamden’s people and neighborhoods.

Stevens said, “it is important to get that different representation.” However, he’s concerned about how the board looks to attain new members.

“(It’s) volunteer jobs that require effort,” Stevens said. “ Certainly there’s only a small portion of the town that is willing and able. They want to do it, (they) have the time to do it and (the) expertise to do it. So it’s already a fairly small pool of people to choose from, and then we’re putting further restrictions on it to make sure that they come from different areas of town.”
Hamden residents can vote at their designated polling locations from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.