The Westport Journal has received several letters in support of Toni Boucher, the Republican candidate for the 26^th state Senate seat. It is now represented by Democrat Will Haskell, who is not seeking re-election. The Democratic candidate is Ceci Maher.

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Senator Toni Boucher is back! 

Toni is in the trenches and once again fighting to protect our independent voices as parents when it comes to our children’s education.  Forced regionalization of our schools? Toni has consistently stood against that; rather, she strongly supports local control of education and respect for parent voices.

Hartford is not qualified to dictate what is best for our schools, students, and parents.  Period. Full stop. 

As a parent of two teenagers who have enjoyed the exceptional public school system in Weston, I know that Senator Boucher is best qualified to ensure that our tradition of educational excellence, independent of Hartford bureaucracy, will continue.

Our Toni is Back — let’s give her our support on Nov. 8.

Britta and Dan Lerner,

Weston

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I am endorsing Toni Boucher as the best qualified candidate for the 26^th Senate District seat.

TonI has represented the interests of Wilton in Hartford for many years as both representative and state senator and is best qualified to do so again.

My government experience with Toni is when we called her each year to brief our Board of Finance on state budget and policy issues affecting our Wilton Town budget.  She was well-informed, detail-oriented, and always prepared for any questions we would ask of her. 

Toni demonstrated all the qualities we would want in our state senator — initiative, drive, knowledge of actual government workings, superior relationship management, preparedness, integrity, and an ability to get along with others to get things done.

I have also had the chance to serve on the Board of Finance with her Democratic opponent. Unfortunately, her opponent doesn’t possess the same qualities mentioned above in which Toni excels.

Toni Bucher is the clear choice for Wilton in the 26^th State Senate District.

Respectfully,

Jeffrey Rutishauser,

Wilton

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I write in support of Toni Boucher’s candidacy for state senator in the 26^th District.

Toni has the experience and knowledge to again serve as our district’s representative in the state Senate.

She has been a leader in large corporations and small businesses. She has worked tirelessly in various public roles from Wilton selectman to state representative to state Senate. 

She has focused much of her career on educational issues and served successfully as chair of the Wilton Board of Education and on the State Board of Education.  Toni has accomplished all of this while gaining a reputation for working hard, being dependable, and being willing to roll up her sleeves and get the job done. 

Connecticut and the 26^th Senate District would benefit from Toni’s leadership. Please support her on Nov. 8!

Sincerely,

Michael Thompson,

Redding

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I am writing this letter in strong support of Toni Boucher’s candidacy for the 26^th District State Senate seat.

Toni has had a remarkable track record as an effective legislator, having previously served multiple terms as both a state representative and state senator. In those roles, she proved to be very productive, spearheading efforts to effect positive and necessary change on policies concerning tax policy, finance, transportation and education, among others.

Issues of particular interest to me are the need to retain local control of our children’s schools and education and, as I previously served on the Wilton’s Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning and Zoning Commission, local control of planning and zoning policy.

The idea that the State’s authority could supersede that of local planning and zoning commissions and dictate where future development occurs greatly concerns me. Fortunately, Toni also recognizes that retaining local control over decisions that so directly impact our district is critical and has committed to fight efforts to the contrary.

Please join me on Nov. 8 and vote for Toni, the candidate who will best serve our district’s interests.

Peter S. Shiue,

Wilton

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