Sen. Heather Somers named a “Chief Deputy Leader”

January 10, 2023

Sen. Heather Somers named a “Chief Deputy Leader”

Women’s issues, health care, job growth to be among top priorities

Will Continue to Serve as Ranking Leader on Public Health Committee

 

Senator Heather Somers (R-18) has been named a top Deputy Senate Republican Leader in the upcoming 2023-2024 legislative sessions and will continue to serve as Ranking Senator on the legislature’s Public Health Committee.

“It has been several decades since Adela ‘Del’ Eads was elevated to a similar leadership role in the Connecticut Republican senate caucus,” Sen. Somers said. “I have long admired former State Sen. Eads for her commitment to improving Connecticut and how she inspired other women to get involved in public service. I have also admired the dedication of other former senators in our caucus: Cathy Cook and Toni Boucher. These women have been role models for me. In this new leadership role, I hope to further strengthen that legacy, and I thank Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly for placing his confidence in me to help lead our caucus.”

Sen. Somers has been a champion for policies that support women’s rights, including improving health care access.  She has been an advocate to protect essential health benefits for women, including maternity care, and codifying them into state law. She has worked to enable pregnant women to obtain health insurance and access vital prenatal care. 

Sen. Somers has supported bipartisan legislation to fight heart disease – the number one killer of women – with better access to early screenings. She has successfully worked with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to pass laws that enhance access to lifesaving early screening for breast cancer and ovarian cancer. 

“As a mother and a grandmother, I remain committed to working with all those I represent to meet the health care needs of every person in our state,” Sen. Somers said. “I urge taxpayers to contact me at [email protected] with thoughts and ideas for future legislation which can help improve the quality of life for everyone here in Connecticut. I work for you, and in this new leadership role I hope to have an even greater positive impact on people’s lives.”

Sen. Somers is the former chairwoman of the Communications Subcommittee of the state’s Vaccine Advisory Task Force.  She serves on the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls which provides a coordinated state response to issues that impact the lives of women and girls, their families, and the State of Connecticut.

In 2023, she will lead the legislature’s bipartisan “Tourism Caucus” to promote policies which bolster the state’s tourism industry. The state’s leading business group, the Connecticut Business and Industry Association this year awarded Sen. Somers a perfect 100% score for her pro-job growth voting record. Sen. Somers was a founding partner of Hydrofera, a medical device manufacturer that employed nearly 100 people in Windham County.

“I understands intricately the challenges facing small businesses in eastern Connecticut because I have has lived many of those challenges,” Sen. Somers said.

This year, Sen. Somers was recognized by the Keep The Promise Coalition for her mental health policy advocacy. In addition. Last year, Sen. Somers received the “Fairview Medal” from Groton-based Fairview for her commitment to improving senior housing.

In the 2023-2024 legislative sessions, Sen. Somers will also serve on the Appropriations, Commerce, and Executive and Legislative Nominations Committees. She has previously served as Ranking Senator on the Transportation Committee and as a member of the Appropriations Committee, where she has been a frequent critic of wasteful spending by the Connecticut Port Authority.

Sen. Somers, who lives on the Groton side of Mystic, was first elected to the General Assembly in 2016 after serving five terms on the Groton Town Council and as mayor from 2012-14. She represents Groton, Stonington, Sterling, Griswold, North Stonington, Plainfield, Preston and Voluntown.

On the web: SenatorSomers.com.