To The Editor:

For the past 14 years, Michelle Embree Ku has served our community with integrity and tireless dedication on multiple town and state boards, commissions, and committees. Her long record of civic work for Newtown proves she puts in the time listening, does the hard work finding solutions, and acts collaboratively to bring results.

Michelle is the strong voice Newtown needs in Hartford. These candidate endorsements she has earned illustrate some of the people, issues, and values she has supported and proven she will fight for:

(1) AFT Connecticut, a federation of 90+ unions representing 30,000+ workers in education, healthcare, and public services with commitments to worker rights, economic justice, and strong public services; (2) Connecticut State Building Trades Council, representing 30,000+ union construction workers across 13 crafts; (3) Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, a non-partisan nonprofit dedicated to protecting Connecticut's environment; (4) Connecticut State University American Association of University Professors, a union representing faculty members, including professors, librarians, coaches and counselors at the four Connecticut State Universities; (5) Connecticut Working Families Party, which advocates reducing economic and social inequality, expanding public education investments, pushing for affordable healthcare access, and advancing racial and environmental justice; (6) 314 Action, an organization dedicated to electing scientists and STEM professionals who are committed to addressing the climate crisis, strengthening our healthcare system, and advancing evidence-based policy; (7) Everytown for Gun Safety, whose mission is to introduce evidence-based solutions and advocate common-sense gun safety laws to end gun violence; and (8) Planned Parenthood Votes! Connecticut, which advocates reproductive freedom, public policies protecting abortion access, and reproductive health.

Newtown deserves a committed, principled leader representing us in Hartford. Michelle Embree Ku has the experience, strength, and determination needed — she is most qualified to take on current challenges and deliver practical solutions for Newtown.

Lynn Edwards

Sandy Hook