To The Editor:

The last time a candidate beat an incumbent for the 106th District state house seat, Richard Nixon, a Republican had just resigned from office after the Watergate scandal. The year was 1974 and Democrat John W. Anderson defeated Republican Sarah Curtis, who had held the seat since the 1950s. Anderson served two terms, beating longtime town clerk and GOP stalwart Mae Schmidle in 1976. Schmidle went on to win in 1978 after Anderson did not seek re-election.

Schmidle held the seat until 1992, when she chose not to run and was succeeded in office by Republican Julia Wasserman. Wasserman served the 106th until 2008. Democrat Chris Lyddy, an elected legislative council member, won the vacant seat in 2008 and served two terms; Bolinsky won the open seat in 2012 by 15 votes, after a recount, and has been Newtown’s state representative ever since.

Bolinsky has decisively beaten relative unknowns, and Democrats did themselves no favors by not offering him a challenge in 2022. His closest races, against Rebekah Harriman-Stites (2018-2020) and Michelle Embree Ku (2024) came against two women who had both won office in Newtown multiple times and who both have long records of community service.

The historical record shows that it is difficult to defeat an incumbent in Newtown under any circumstances. Voters have rewarded experience, perseverance, steadiness, and service.

Statewide, in 2024, five Republican incumbents lost state house races. Four of those contests were rematches from 2022, with the Democrat winning after two or more election cycles.

At the May 26 caucus, Newtown Democrats will be best served by voting to endorse Michelle Embree Ku to run again against Bolinsky. She has the best chance of beating the odds. Experience — and history — matter.

Jeff Schult

Sandy Hook