Proudly Serving the 32nd District

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 Appropriations Committee and 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.

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“We must continue our work to create a state that is affordable for all, with safe communities and full support of law enforcement. We must also continue to properly invest in students and teachers throughout Connecticut, while ensuring that those investments produce meaningful results. I am proud to work with my colleagues to advance these measures and stop reckless spending and bad policy by the Democrats in Hartford.”

– Senator Eric Berthel

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Latest News

Explore the latest news and updates about Senator Eric Berthel.

Press Releases

02/05/2026

Sen. Berthel Statement on Senate Extension of $330M ‘Emergency’ Fund

State Sen. Eric Berthel (R-Watertown) issued the following statement following yesterday’s Senate approval to extend $330 million in emergency-certified funding now known as the “Federal Cuts Response Fund,” to be allocated at Gov. Ned Lamont’s discretion: “The legislature opened the 2026 legislative session at 10 a.m. on Feb. 4. By the end of the ... Eric Berthel

News

02/03/2026

‘CT Education Committee to take up school funding, cellphone bans’ (CT Mirror)

Story from the CT Mirror: Connecticut lawmakers haven’t adjusted the baseline per-pupil state funding for public education in over a decade. This year, they’ll consider raising the base rate — and tying it to inflation. Education Committee co-Chair Rep. Jennifer Leeper, D-Fairfield, said that’s “priority No. 1” for her, potentially resolving a source of ... Eric Berthel

Press Releases

02/03/2026

“Blatant Fear-Mongering.” Berthel, CT Senate GOP Blast CEA Boss’s Comments About Armed ICE Agents in Schools

State Sen. Eric Berthel and several Connecticut Senate Republican lawmakers are calling for the resignation of Connecticut Education Association President Kate Dias after Dias’ recent statement about “armed ICE agents operating in and around schools, disrupting learning, shattering a sense of safety, and filling families and staff with anxiety.” https://cea.org/statement-from-cea-president-kate-dias-on-violence-involving-ice-and-need-for-safe-welcoming-schools/ “The statement is 100 % false, ... Eric Berthel

News

02/03/2026

“Blatant Fear-Mongering.” CT Senate GOP Blast CEA Boss’s Comments About Armed ICE Agents in Schools

Several Connecticut Senate Republican lawmakers are calling for the resignation of Connecticut Education Association President Kate Dias after Dias’ recent statement about “armed ICE agents operating in and around schools, disrupting learning, shattering a sense of safety, and filling families and staff with anxiety.” https://cea.org/statement-from-cea-president-kate-dias-on-violence-involving-ice-and-need-for-safe-welcoming-schools/ “The statement is 100 % false, wrong, irresponsible and blatant ... Eric Berthel

News

02/02/2026

“Remember it.” CT Senate GOP Statement on Newly Disclosed PURA Documents

Several members of the CT Senate Republican Caucus issued the following statement regarding the release of documents by the Connecticut Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) which highlight how PURA may have ignored or bent state laws under the leadership of its former chairman Marissa Gillett in order to manipulate the outcome of proceedings. (https://www.courant.com/2026/02/01/ct-agency-discloses-once-concealed-records-that-shed-light-on-fight-with-utilities-what-they-show/) “Better ... Eric Berthel

News

01/27/2026

“Where’s the economic growth?” CT Senate GOP on Dec. 2025 Jobs Report

Several CT Senate Republicans issued the following statement regarding the December 2025 employment report. (https://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/laborsit.pdf) “Where’s the economic growth? It’s apparently not here in deep blue Connecticut. We lost 2,200 jobs in 2025. Our labor force is declining by tens of thousands of people. And our healthcare jobs? Anemic growth there, even as the rest ... Eric Berthel

News

01/21/2026

As “Tsunami of Endless Water Rate Hikes” Looms, CT Senate GOP Lawmakers Urge AG to Appeal ASAP

Several Senate Republicans, including Sen. Stephen Harding, Sen. Ryan Fazio, Sen. Heather Somers, Sen. Eric Berthel, and Sen. Jason Perillo today issued the following statement regarding the blocked sale of Aquarion Water Company: “A ‘costly loser’. That’s what Attorney General Tong called this atrocious backroom deal which will bring about a tsunami of endless water ... Eric Berthel

Photos

01/20/2026

Sen. Berthel Joins Local Farmers, Advocates & Lawmakers to Fix Farmland Tax Hikes

Berthel: Governor’s tax-hike suspension a political “Band-Aid.” Photo above: State Sen. Eric Berthel (right) joins Guardians Farm co-owner David Buck, a Veteran business owner, at a farmer’s forum at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on Jan. 20. State Sen. Eric Berthel (R-Watertown) today joined hundreds of farmers and advocates from across Connecticut, including four ... Eric Berthel

News

01/16/2026

“Disturbing.” CT Senate GOP Statement on Arrests of Nurse Impersonator & Her Employer

Sen. Stephen Harding, Sen. Jeff Gordon, Sen. Henri Martin, Sen. Eric Berthel and Sen. Rob Sampson today issued the following statement with regard to the arrest of a Connecticut woman who was allegedly impersonating a licensed nurse and performing unauthorized procedures as well as the arrest of a woman who owned the staffing agency that ... Eric Berthel

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State Senator Eric Berthel