John McKenna - Republican American
Nov 8, 2022
NEW MILFORD — Voters in the sprawling 30th state Senate District showed Tuesday they weren’t ready to change the seat from red to blue after more than 30 years.
State Rep. Stephen Harding Jr., R-Brookfield, appeared to have rolled to a convincing win over Eva Bermudez Zimmerman, a Democrat from New Milford, to gain the seat for the next two years.
Harding, in his third term representing Brookfield, Bethel and part of Danbury in the 107th House District, was leading Bermudez Zimmerman 22,039 to 16,365 with votes from all but Cornwall, Canaan and Sharon reported. He will succeed Sen. Craig Miner, R-Litchfield, who is stepping down after three terms.
“It looks like we won, but I won’t feel comfortable until all the votes are in,” Harding said during a victory celebration at Candlewood Valley Country Club. “I’d be shocked if I didn’t win based on the numbers so far.”
The 30th District also includes Brookfield, New Milford, Torrington, Winsted, North Canaan, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, Salisbury, Warren, Washington, Bethlehem, Sherman and New Fairfield. It is the largest Senate district, geographically, in the state, extending from the Massachusetts border into northern Fairfield County.
During the campaign, Harding stressed a need for a smaller state government, making Connecticut more affordable, support for small business and local zoning control free from state interference.
“It was the kitchen table issues of the 30th District, such as affordability, relieving the tax burden, inflation, open space preservation and local zoning control,” he said. “That’s what the voters spoke to.”
Harding favors doing away with the state’s 25-cent-per-gallon gas tax and eliminating the highway use tax set to be imposed on truckers Jan. 1. He also has listed increasing affordable housing opportunities as a priority.
John Morris, the Republican State Central Committee representative from Litchfield, said he believes Harding will be a strong state senator.
“He’s great with people, he listens and he’s willing to do what it takes to get the job done,” Morris said. “We’re fortunate to have someone the caliber of Steve Harding step up to succeed Craig Miner, who has been an outstanding representative.”