To The Editor,:

Taxes. The cost of living. The cost of thriving. The environment. Education. Health care. The future of democracy. All these things and more are on the ballot Nov. 3.

Ever since I moved to Newtown in 2014, I have been “represented” in Hartford by consistent and Republican business-as-usual voices. They have had little power and less effect. They champion Newtown but are not effective participants in state government.

And on the major issues of the day — democracy, the direction of the country — they have been silent. Do they support their party — and Donald Trump’s and the national Republican Party’s perversion of democracy — or do they not? They’d rather not say. They say “It’s about Newtown. I’m for Newtown." Well, OK. But we’re ALL for Newtown, and that is not an answer.

Newtown has, again, a chance to change things for the better on Election Day. The candidacies of Michelle Embree Ku and Rob Blanchard, in the 106th State House and 28th State Senate districts, respectively, represent change and progress at a time when Newtown — and Connecticut and the country — need them very, very much. Michelle and Rob will work hard, do right and keep us informed. That’s what I want.

Jeff Schult

Sandy Hook