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

UPCOMING EVENTS

Join Sen. Martin and Sen. Osten for Missing & Murdered Indigenous People Day at the State Capitol!

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Latest News

Explore the latest news and updates about Senator Eric Berthel.

Events

04/24/2026

Join Sen. Martin and Sen. Osten for Missing & Murdered Indigenous People Day at the State Capitol!

Press Releases

04/23/2026

Sen. Berthel Supports Religious, Medical Freedom; Opposes Controversial Vaccine Bill Expanding State Authority

State Sen. Eric Berthel (R-Watertown) today opposed sweeping, controversial legislation that establishes a state-controlled vaccine “standard of care” under the Department of Public Health for adult residents and prevents the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in school vaccine mandates, among other provisions. “On a daily basis, we continue to see Connecticut Democrats ... Eric Berthel

Audio

04/20/2026

Listen | “A complete and utter abuse of power.” Sen. Berthel discusses the bill that attacks CT homeschooling families with WICC’s Paul Pacelli and urges CT families to get active.

CT Senate Republicans · “A complete and utter abuse of power.” Sen. Berthel discusses the bill that attacks CT homeschooling families with WICC’s Paul Pacelli and urges CT families to get active.

News

04/01/2026

Sen. Berthel Pushes to Make CT More Affordable

CT Families Aren’t Laughing. Sen. Berthel Pushes to Make CT More Affordable HARTFORD – State Sen. Eric Berthel (R-Watertown) on April Fool’s Day continued the call to make Connecticut more affordable as Democrats offer legislative proposals to make the state even more unaffordable for working families. “Here we are, on April Fool’s Day, and families ... Eric Berthel

News

03/18/2026

Sen. Berthel Opposes Education Committee Approval of Controversial Homeschool Legislation

Watch Sen. Berthel’s remarks here. State Sen. Eric Berthel (R-Watertown), ranking member of the Education Committee, today opposed the committee’s approval of a controversial homeschool bill that drew hundreds of families to the Capitol last week to testify against the measure during a nearly 20-hour emotional public hearing. “I continue to echo the ... Eric Berthel

News

03/18/2026

“CT parents’ rights education bill draws concern: ‘demonization of teachers’” (Hartford Courant)

As published in the Hartford Courant: A bill designed to bolster parents’ rights to know what’s being taught in their children’s classroom has teachers worrying that the action would result in their lesson plans being policed and teachers being unfairly targeted. The Education Committee on Monday voted in favor of SB 308, requiring local and regional boards ... Eric Berthel

News

03/03/2026

Sen. Berthel Statement on Gov. Lamont’s Line-Item Vetoes of Funding in SB 298

HARTFORD – State Sen. Eric Berthel (R-Watertown) issued the following statement regarding the governor’s line-item veto of more than $3.8 million in budget earmarks approved in last week’s ‘emergency’ session. “The governor is listening to Senate Republicans. We have been raising concerns, and offering solutions, for months about how millions of taxpayer dollars are spent. ... Eric Berthel

Press Releases

02/18/2026

Sen. Berthel Questions Homeschooling Concept Bill

Watch Sen. Berthel’s Education Committee remarks here. State Sen. Eric Berthel (R-Watertown), ranking member of the Education Committee, today questioned a concept bill, An Act Concerning the Provision of Equivalent Instruction in Connecticut, raised during the committee’s meeting. He said the concept would curtail the rights of not only homeschooling students and families, but ... Eric Berthel

News

02/13/2026

“Troubling.” CT Senate GOP Statement Regarding Report on CT Students Enrolled in Out-of-State Special Ed Schools

Sen. John A. Kissel, Sen. Eric Berthel, Sen. Jason Perillo, and Sen. Stephen Harding today issued the following statement regarding a report released by Disability Rights Connecticut and the state Office of the Child Advocate which is recommending that the state Department of Education provide more oversight of out-of-state special education schools where Connecticut students ... Eric Berthel

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State Senator Eric Berthel