This past Friday in Hartford, New London police officer and Democrat Anthony Nolan was sworn in as representative for Connecticut’s 39th House District, which represents about two-thirds of the City of New London including Connecticut College. Nolan replaces Chris Soto who resigned in January to become Legislative Affairs Director for Governor Ned Lamont.
During the campaign for the House seat, Nolan ran against candidates Mirna Martinez of the Green Party, Kat Goulart of the Republican Party and Jason Catala, a petitioning Democrat. According to unofficial results Nolan won with 963 votes with 51%, Martinez earned 535 with 29%, Goulart 276 with 15% and Catala 102 with 5%. The Day reports a total 13,341 registered voters in the 39th District, making turnout 14%; even abysmally lower than the just-over-minimum turnout percentages among students voting in SGA elections as we report in this issue.
Nolan raised controversy at a Feb. 20 debate when in response to a question about what he would say to Republican constituents who feel that he does not represent them politically he said “nothing.” Nolan also weathered criticism that as City Council President, he missed an excessive number of Senior Affairs Commission meetings, for which he is the Council’s liaison. Martinez, who serves on the School Board, recounted uncomfortably in response to a question about Nolan’s missed meetings that when the City Council was preparing to take a first vote on a budget, Nolan told her that “he had not read the budget.” He responded that the missed meetings were a result of the need to give care to his mother who has cancer.
In my opinion, it appears quite likely that as our College’s new State representative, Nolan will give strong support to Governor Lamont and the Democrats’ agenda. During the campaign, Nolan was the only candidate voicing support for Governor Lamont’s plan to reduce sales tax exemptions without criticism; both Martinez and Catala supported it with reservations while Goulart opposed it. This plan includes ending tax exemptions for coin-operated laundry services, non-prescription drugs, barber shops and beauty salons and college textbooks– essential goods and services for students at Connecticut College that are not currently provided directly through the College itself. Whether or not you believe some or all of these goods and services should be taxed, the cost of your education will increase should any of these proposed taxes become law.
Given the controversy Nolan has stoked during this campaign, we hope he will prove to be a better representative for New London than the allegations against him indicate he will be. As members of our city and the 39th District, it is important that we as students support and encourage representation for New London that acts in the City’s and students’ best interests. Quality of life improvements in New London, whether through aid from the State or nonprofits, are vital because they improve and expand our own experiences with the City.
