The statements expressed in Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the views of the Haddam-KillingworthNow.com staff nor those of the Haddam Civic League.
This past week, my opponent continued his negative campaigning with both video and a mailer targeting me directly. His campaign is furthering its claims in trying to portray me as hostile to women’s issues. With all that is going on nationally, it seems that any action that can be interpreted as adversarial to women is fair game to be called out, regardless of context. I’m an outspoken Republican, which makes me an easy target.
A recent criticism is around the issue of pay equity for women. Yes, I voted against HB 6850 in 2015, because it was a poorly constructed bill. I felt it needed to go back to committee, which it did. After careful bipartisan review, I had no qualms supporting it and I enthusiastically voted in favor in 2018.
I feel strongly that the drafting and revision of law as something that should be taken seriously. Hundreds of bills — many of them good conceptually– die in committee each year. Bills that finally find their way into law are the result of years of consensus building and bipartisan work. You won’t find that in opposition talking points or some fake website, because such information does not suit Mr. Needleman’s opportunistic narrative.
We too often forget the difference between campaigning and legislating. Pick any particular vote I have made (something that is easy to do with my 100% voting record), strip away the context, and one may find something that can be conveniently weaponized. Drill down into process, or better yet, listen to my testimony, and suddenly things are no longer so cut and dried.
I have fought for women throughout my career, just as I have fought for all of my constituents regardless of race, color, gender, town, or age. I hope to earn your vote and continue that work.
Melissa Ziobron
Candidate for the 33rd District, State Senate
