Sen. Kissel to seek re-election

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Sen. John A. Kissel (R-Enfield) will seek re-election to the 7th Senatorial District seat, which includes East Granby, Enfield, Somers, Suffield, Windsor Locks and portions of Granby and Windsor. He was unanimously endorsed at the local Republican convention.

“I love this job and want to continue to work with Democrats and Republicans to improve the quality of life for everyone in our region.”

Kissel is the Senate Republican Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which has cognizance of matters relating to the Department of Correction, courts, judicial procedures, and criminal law.

As Chief Deputy Senate Republican Majority Leader, he also serves as the vice-chair of the General Law Committee, which oversees all matters relating to consumer protection. Additionally, he serves as the vice chair of the Committee on Children, which has cognizance on all matters relating to children. Kissel also serves as a member on the Appropriations Committee which oversees state government spending and the Legislative Management Committee overseeing the business affairs of the General Assembly.

Kissel said that his frequent public outreach events help him stay connected to people in the 7th Senatorial District.

“My ‘Senator on Your Sidewalk’ events allow me to go to where folks are – area grocery stores and shopping plazas with heavy foot traffic – and hear their thoughts and ideas about how to make Connecticut better,” Kissel said. “I take those ideas and bring them to Hartford.”

Throughout his tenure in state government Kissel has been a persevering advocate for seniors, receiving Legislative Achievement Awards from the AARP for his efforts to protect seniors from financial exploitation in 2012, 2015 and 2016. In 2017 AARP named him a “Capitol Caregiver” for his leadership on PA 17-7 AAC Conservator Accountability.

Kissel has opposed tax hikes and border tolls while working with his colleagues to pass legislation to enhance truth in sentencing to protect victim’s rights. He fought for many years for an enforceable cap on state government spending; which 20 years after it was originally promised to taxpayers was part of the bipartisan budget passed in 2017.

In 2016 the Connecticut chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) selected Senator Kissel to receive the Public Policy Award for his dedication to promote safe and sober driving through legislation. Kissel was also recognized by MADD as one of their 2016 Legislators of the Year.

Raised in Windsor, Kissel earned a B.S. from the University of Connecticut School of Education, a law degree from Western New England College, and a B.A.from the University of Connecticut. He is a corporate attorney for Eversource Energy. Kissel lives in Enfield with his wife, Cynthia, and their sons, Nathaniel and Tristan.

Kissel will face former State Representative Annie Hornish in November.
 —from a press release.