The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item. Received October 7, 2026.
When I look at the work of our elected officials, I think the most important question is simple: what are their priorities, and what have they actually done for the people and towns they represent?
Senator Christine Cohen’s record gives us some clear examples, particularly in the areas where she has taken a leading role.
Public safety is one of them. Early in her Senate career, Senator Cohen championed Ethan’s Law on the Senate floor. Named for Guilford teenager Ethan Song, the law strengthened Connecticut’s firearm storage requirements by requiring both loaded and unloaded firearms to be securely stored in homes with minors and raising the applicable age from 16 to 18. The bill passed the Senate with bipartisan support, 34-2. Senator Cohen has also supported legislation addressing untraceable “ghost guns.”
Transportation is another area where she has taken a leadership role. As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Cohen has led legislation addressing road safety, Shore Line East, microtransit, and transportation assistance for students and veterans. In 2026, she led Senate passage of legislation supporting commuters and expanding microtransit services. The state budget also included $7 million to maintain and expand Shore Line East, $10.5 million for microtransit, and $3.5 million specifically for student and veteran bus passes.
Before chairing Transportation, Senator Cohen served as Chair of the Environment Committee. In that role, she led environmental legislation involving recycling, waste reduction, clean transportation, agriculture, and protection of Connecticut’s natural resources. She also helped direct state investments toward farmland restoration and climate-resilient agriculture.
Those issues are especially meaningful in Killingworth. Open space, farmland, clean water, and preserving the rural character of our town are not abstract policy questions. They are part of what makes Killingworth the community it is.
Education funding also hits close to home. In 2026, Senator Cohen supported a state budget providing $190 million in additional education aid statewide. Communities in the 12th District are receiving approximately $1.6 million in additional education funding and more than $2 million in total additional town aid. For Killingworth, where education costs have a major impact on local and regional budgets,
No senator accomplishes any of this alone. Legislation and state budgets require collaboration. Leadership still matters, and Senator Cohen has shown her ability to both lead and collaborate across the aisle.
When I evaluate the person representing the 12th District in Hartford, I want to know where they have stepped forward, done the work, and moved important issues forward. Senator Cohen’s work is what effective representation looks like: taking the lead on issues that make our communities safer, stronger, and better supported. Once again, Senator Cohen has my vote this November.
Lisa Connelly, Killingworth
