State Senator Stephen Harding

State Senator Stephen Harding
Senate Minority Leader
Stephen Harding, named Senate Minority Leader in 2024, represents Connecticut’s 30th Senate District. He was first elected to the Senate in 2022 after serving four terms in the 107th House District. A lawyer and Brookfield resident for nearly 30 years, Senator Harding has been involved with local boards and is a coach for youth sports. He serves as Ranking Member of the Environment Committee and Legislative Management Committee. He is also a member on the Education, Finance, and Judiciary Committees.
Latest News
Explore the latest news and updates about State Senator Stephen Harding.
News
04/10/2026
“Candy Store Must Close.” Sen. Harding Statement on House Passage of Earmark Reform
Sen. Stephen Harding issued the following statement today regarding the CT House of Representatives’ unanimous passage of earmark reform legislation. “We have this culture of corruption in which the ‘candy store’ is open. Tens of millions of taxpayers’ dollars go out the door every year to politically connected groups. Minimal to no transparency or oversight ... Stephen Harding
Audio
04/09/2026
CT Taxpayers are Paying for Someone’s $442,000-a-Year No-Show Job? Sen. Harding Updates Talk of CT On What our Absentee Governor Calls “Small Ball”, as well as Democrats’ Efforts to Crush Local Zoning.
CT Senate Republicans · CT taxpayers are paying for someone’s $442,000-a-year no-show job? Sen. Harding updates Talk of CT on what our absentee governor calls “small ball”, as well as Democrats’ efforts to crush local zoning.
Audio
04/09/2026
Sen. Harding Updates Vinnie Penn on CT Senate Republicans’ Efforts to Pass Common Sense Policies at the State Capitol
CT Senate Republicans · Sen. Harding updates Vinnie Penn on CT Senate Republicans’ efforts to pass common sense policies at the State Capitol
News
04/08/2026
CT Dems Defend $442 K/Year No-Show; Vote Against Meals on Wheels Homebound Seniors
Sen. Stephen Harding and all members of the Senate Republican Caucus today voted in favor of defunding former Connecticut State Universities System Chancellor Terrence Cheng’s $442,000 salary and instead allocating that sum of money to Meals on Wheels in order to help homebound seniors. (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/lcoamd/pdf/2026LCO03881-R00-AMD.pdf) “All Senate Democrats today voted against helping needy seniors while ... Stephen Harding
News
04/08/2026
“Significant Errors.” Sen. Harding Statement on Push for Reconsideration of Aquarion Sale Approval
Sen. Stephen Harding today issued the following statement regarding the state’s filing of a joint petition urging the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to reconsider the recent decision approving the sale of Aquarion Water Company which will significantly increase water bills and weaken oversight over customer rates. “Last month’s decision by PURA was a backbreaker. ... Stephen Harding
News
04/08/2026
“Significant Errors.” Sen. Harding Statement on Push for Reconsideration of Aquarion Sale Approval
For Immediate Release Sen. Stephen Harding today issued the following statement regarding the state’s filing of a joint petition urging the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to reconsider the recent decision approving the sale of Aquarion Water Company which will significantly increase water bills and weaken oversight over customer rates. “Last month’s decision by PURA was a backbreaker. This new discovery of significant errors ... Stephen Harding
News
04/07/2026
Sen. Harding Statement on R & D Tax Credit Expansion Proposal
Sen. Stephen Harding issued the following statement regarding the governor’s proposal to expand Connecticut’s R&D Tax Credit Program for small businesses that are investing in innovation. “Connecticut is unaffordable under one-party Democrat rule. Small business owners and innovators are getting crushed. Any proposal to make Connecticut more attractive for job creators is welcome. Republicans want ... Stephen Harding
News
04/02/2026
CT Senate GOP: School-to-Work Pipeline Must Be Strengthened
On behalf of the Senate Republican Caucus, Sen. Stephen Harding issued the following statement regarding a new report which finds that employers across Connecticut are struggling to fill open jobs due to a lack of job-ready skills among applicants. “Tens of thousands of well-paying jobs are going unfilled in Connecticut. Healthcare jobs. Manufacturing jobs. Jobs ... Stephen Harding
News
04/01/2026
(Watch) On April Fool’s Day, CT Senate GOP Blast Democrats for Failure to Make CT More Affordable
“April Fool’s?” CT Families Aren’t Laughing. Senate Republicans Blast Democrats for Failure to Make CT More Affordable (Watch the press conference here.) Senate Republicans on April Fool’s Day blasted supermajority Democrats for failing to make Connecticut more affordable as Democrats offer legislative proposals to make the state even more unaffordable for working families. “Supermajority Democrats ... Stephen Harding
Honored to be a speaker at the Women's Business Development Council (WBDC)’s 2026 Women-Owned Business Day!
The numbers speak for themselves. Since 2020, WBDC has awarded 42 grants totaling $449,605 to 38 businesses right here in the 30th District, serving 290 clients across our communities.
Connecticut’s women entrepreneurs create jobs and invest in their communities every single day. As Senate Minority Leader, I am committed to fighting for policies that help small businesses thrive, cut through red tape, and keep Connecticut competitive. Women-owned businesses are a critical part of that.
Thank you to the WBDC for bringing legislators and entrepreneurs together today!
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Wishing everyone in the 30th District and across Connecticut a joyful and blessed Easter. May this season of renewal bring hope, peace, and time well spent with the people who matter most. From my family to yours, Happy Easter! ... See MoreSee Less
Wishing all who observe a reflective and meaningful Good Friday. ... See MoreSee Less
