
State Senator Eric Berthel

State Senator Eric Berthel
Chief Deputy Republican Leader
Eric Berthel was elected to his fifth term representing the 32nd Senate District in 2024. He is the Republican Ranking Member on the legislature’s Banking, Education, and Executive & Legislative Nominations Committees. He is also a co-chair of the Legislative Internship Committee and serves on the legislature’s newly formed Select Committee on Special Education.
Eric is extensively committed to public school education and ensuring that we are always doing what is in the best interest of the children of Connecticut. He has also been recognized for his pro-business/small business advocacy and his support of important initiatives in health care, banking, and law enforcement.
Latest News
Explore the latest news and updates about Senator Eric Berthel.
News
04/08/2025
“Good.” CT Senate GOP Statement on SCOTUS Allowing Continued Removal of Tren de Aragua Gang Members
Sen. Rob Sampson, Sen. Eric Berthel and Sen. Stephen Harding issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court allowing the continued removal of Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang members from the country under the Alien Enemies Act. “Good. This notorious Venezuelan super gang has spread its criminal tentacles into Stamford, CT. The spread of ... Eric Berthel
News
04/02/2025
“It’s a start.” Sen. Berthel & Harding Statement on Forensic Audit of Bridgeport School District
Sen. Eric Berthel and Sen. Stephen Harding today issued the following statement regarding the Connecticut State Department of Education ordering a forensic audit of the Bridgeport School District. (https://insideinvestigator.org/csde-continues-interventions-in-bridgeport-hartford/) “It’s a start. The forensic audit must be completed expeditiously. It must lead to reforms and efficiencies which benefit the neglected children of Bridgeport. Taxpayers across ... Eric Berthel
News
03/25/2025
“Make Sense To You?” CT Senate GOP Statement on Daycare/Preschool Funding Bill
Sen. Eric Berthel, Sen. Heather Somers and Sen. Stephen Harding issued the following statement regarding CT daycare and preschool funding and the Education Committee’s advancement of SB 1. (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2025/TOB/S/PDF/2025SB-00001-R01-SB.PDF) “From electricity to taxes to early education, CT is unaffordable in so many ways under one-party Democrat rule. Republicans would have been in full support of ... Eric Berthel
Press Releases
03/14/2025
“Sickening.” CT Senate GOP statement on Danbury Sex Trafficking Arrests
For Immediate Release Sen. Paul Cicarella, Sen. Rob Sampson, Sen. Eric Berthel and Sen. Stephen Harding today issued the following statement regarding the recent arrests at a sex trafficking operation in Danbury. (https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/03/13/danbury-ct-human-trafficking-brothel-raid/) “Sickening. Punishments for criminals must be strengthened. Protections for victims must be strengthened. This bust happened in Danbury. We commend local police and the FBI for this crackdown. But similar crimes are ... Eric Berthel
Photos
03/11/2025
Sen. Berthel Joins Watertown Police Det. Mark Conway to Protect Children From Internet Sexual Abuse
HARTFORD – State Sen. Eric Berthel (R-Watertown) on March 10 joined Watertown Police Det. Mark Conway during the Judiciary Committee’s public hearing to support S.B. 1439, a bill that aligns Connecticut’s definition of “child sexual abuse material” (CSAM) with the federal definition of “child pornography.” Connecticut’s current definition of CSAM refers to material involving individuals ... Eric Berthel
Press Releases
03/11/2025
Senate GOP Statement on CT Tech Ed Investigation
For Immediate Release Sen. Eric Berthel, Ranking Senator on the Education Committee, Sen. Jason Perillo, Ranking Senator on the Human Services Committee, and Sen. Stephen Harding issued the following statement regarding an investigation by the CT Department of Education that found that the CT Technical Education and Career System allegedly denied admission to 42 students with disabilities for the current school ... Eric Berthel
News
03/01/2025
‘Bear hunting season bill fails in CT’ | Hartford Courant
From the Hartford Courant: Lawmaker: Action needed before ‘somebody is mauled or killed’ ‘This is becoming a public safety emergency,’ the lawmaker said Nearly every legislative session, Connecticut state Sen. Eric Berthel, R-32, introduces a bill allowing for the hunting of black bears in certain areas of the state, but each year the ... Eric Berthel
Videos
02/25/2025
Watch | Sen. Berthel Capitol Update (2/25/2025)
News
02/25/2025
CT GOP Senators: “Is CT paying attention? Well-done, Massachusetts.”
Sen. Rob Sampson, Sen. Eric Berthel, and Sen. Stephen Harding issued the following statement regarding Massachusetts law enforcement honoring a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer request for a Brazilian illegal alien accused of rape. (https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-boston-arrests-illegal-brazilian-alien-charged-raping-massachusetts-resident) “Is Connecticut paying attention? We hope so. This is an example for Connecticut to learn from and follow ... Eric Berthel
Thank you to the great students in Mrs. Casey's and Mr. Strickland's 5th grade classes at Bethlehem Elementary School for the invitation to speak at Career Day! We had a great conversation about the three branches of our government and how to get a bill passed in the legislature.
We have so many talented students and educators in our schools, and I’ll continue the work to make sure that our funding is preserved to continue this great work.
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🚨🚨⚠️⚠️ I-84 Roadwork | Newtown, Southbury, & Danbury
Information from CT DOT:
I-84 east and westbound at various exit ramps in Newtown, Southbury and Danbury starting on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
I-84 at Exit 14 Eastbound in Southbury | Tuesday, March 25, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. to 5:00. The exit ramp for I-84 at Exit 14 eastbound in Southbury, will be closed to traffic on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Traffic will be detoured I-84 eastbound to Exit 15.
I-84 at Exit 10 Eastbound in Newtown | Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The exit ramp for I-84 at Exit 10 eastbound in Newtown, will be closed to traffic on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Traffic will be detoured I-84 East to Exit 11,
I-84 at Exit 10 Westbound in Newtown | Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The exit ramp for I-84 at Exit 10 eastbound in Newtown, will be closed to traffic on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Traffic will be detoured I-84 west to Exit 9
I-84 at Exit 9 Westbound in Newtown | Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The exit ramp for I-84 at Exit 9 westbound in Newtown, will be closed to traffic on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Exit 8 onto Route 6 westbound. Left at the split towards I-84 eastbound.
I-84 at Exit 11 Eastbound in Newtown | Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The exit ramp for I-84 at Exit 11 eastbound in Newtown, will be closed to traffic on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Traffic will be detoured I-84 east to Exit 13 to River Road, to Oakdale Road.
I-84 at Exit 11 Westbound in Newtown | Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The exit ramp for I-84 at Exit 11 westbound in Newtown, will be closed to traffic on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Traffic will be detoured I-84 west to Exit 10, to Church Hill Road, to Berkshire Road, to Wasserman Way.
I-84 at Exit 4 Eastbound in Danbury | Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The exit ramp for I-84 at Exit 4 eastbound in Danbury, will be closed to traffic on Thursday, March 27, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
I-84 at Exit 4 Westbound in Danbury | Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The exit ramp for I-84 at Exit 4 westbound in Danbury, will be closed to traffic on Thursday, March 27, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Traffic will be detoured Exit 5 eastbound off-ramp.
I-84 at Exit 5 Westbound in Danbury | Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The exit ramp for I-84 at Exit 5 westbound in Danbury, will be closed to traffic on Thursday, March 27, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Traffic will be detoured Exit 4 westbound off-ramp.
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CT Ag Week spotlight @ Bethlehem’s Steadfast Farms!
Founder Jared McCool, a first-generation farmer and Marine Corps veteran, raises wild game birds and operates this poultry processing facility here in Bethlehem. Thanks to a Dept. of Agriculture Farm Transition Grant, Jared has grown his business, employed fellow veterans, and is providing valuable services to other farmers in the region. Supporting our veterans and local agriculture is key to building a stronger community.
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