My name is Gwen Samuel, and I am reaching out to you as an everyday mom, grandma, taxpayer, and informed voter. Like many families, I too experience the hardship of inflation and rising costs. I make payment arrangements like many of you to keep a roof over my head and the lights and heat on.  I also have experienced a significant loss of two young adult children in my life. Nevertheless, I am committed to helping improve the quality of life in our homes, communities, and state. This November 5th, I am honored to represent District 13, which includes Meriden, Cheshire, Middletown, and Middlefield, as I challenge an incumbent for the State Senate seat.

Why am I running? Because in these uncertain times, every able-bodied person must contribute, and our communities need all hands on deck. This includes those who have been disenfranchised or marginalized—everyone deserves a voice, and I’m here to ensure that every voice is heard.

I served in the United States Marine Corps in the 80s. I graduated from college with my Bachelor of Science in Human Services at the age of thirty-six, which means it’s never too late to learn and grow.

I’ve dedicated close to two decades to advocating for the safety, education, and overall well-being of children, no matter their zip code. I’m known as a “Mama Bear” for a reason—I fiercely fight to protect the Constitutional rights of our kids, and I do not negotiate.

I’m running as an independent candidate for the State Senate because I believe in the power of the people, families, and communities to drive forward-thinking and positive change.

I have seen how powerful organizations like the teachers’ unions and their leaders, such as my opponent, who is a president, have undue influence over our legislature and children’s education. While I respect the many hard-working educators in our classrooms, I am deeply concerned that parents and students are not adequately represented in the public education decision-making processes, and union bosses are making political decisions about other people’s children (OPC).

Our children are the future workforce, and that is not a slogan. They deserve the best real llife in real time educational experience possible—through whatever school model—whether it’s through traditional, charter, magnet, scholarship, private, or trade school—and I fight tirelessly to ensure they receive it.

It is just time to safely and justly educate all children.

I believe that just as those we elect to public office can ensure the public sector has guaranteed jobs regardless of performance, we must also ensure our present and future workforce in the private sector has fair access to education and economic opportunities too.

While this may be my first political campaign, as a mom, I’m no stranger to the state legislature. In 2010, I played a pivotal role in passing a parent empowerment law that created over three hundred school governance councils in Connecticut’s lowest-performing schools, with parents as the majority decision makers. In 2013, I worked to eliminate the felony arrest of parents seeking a better education for their children outside of their school district. I’ve always believed in the power of parents and communities to create lasting change, and I am living proof as a parent leader.

In 2006, I developed the Meriden Kids Walk Safe- our first safe-routes to school initiative. This walk, bike, and roll-safe routes to and from schools also honors our crossing guards for helping to keep our pedestrian students safe.   

Public safety, education, and economic viability are my top priorities. State and community programs must hold their vendors accountable to deliver real-life results, not theories or political rhetoric, and we must expand opportunities for those reentering society. Developing strong homes, schools, and communities requires all of us to instill pride in our homes, schools and communities, with parents taking more responsibility for their children and encouraging neighborhood watch groups to help keep us all safe—especially our most vulnerable. After all, our law enforcement needs to be able to focus on the gangs, remote scammers, predators, and human traffickers; they don’t have time to babysit our kids too!

It should go without saying that we must protect our senior citizens to include those residing in nursing homes and hospitals. I would like to ask my opponent what grade she would give her work in protecting seniors, considering she is the Chair of the Aging Commission?

According to our state’s public health agency The state Department of Public Health is wading through a backlog of 2,400 unaddressed complaints from nursing home residents, their families or others, and another 1,300 complaints related to incidents at hospitals, some which are now five years old, agency data shows
CT hospital, nursing home complaint backlog stretches back years (ctmirror.org) 4/17/2024

Please note, I’m not backed by a political machine or any state grant—I’m just doing my part to chip away at a super majority because, in my opinion, they do not embrace or respect the taxpayer sacrifices, nor do they embrace or respect diversity of thought or solution to help lift the many different size boats in this storm.

I am you and I am running to represent you, the people of District 13. I ask for your support on November 5th by voting INDEPENDENT ROW 4-D so we can build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous community and Connecticut together.

Here are four impactful ways you can support our campaign:

1. We need sixty people (60) to donate $250.00 to help pay for our poll workers, door-knocking team, people to make phone calls, and printed material. Or

2. We need one hundred and fifty (150) people to donate $100.00 to help pay for our poll workers, door-knocking team, people to make phone calls, and printed material. Or

3. We need three hundred people (300) to donate $50.00 to help pay for our poll workers, door-knocking team, people to make phone calls, and printed material.

4. On November 5th, celebrate family civic empowerment by going to the polls with family and vote Independent ROW 4D then have dinner together – as a family 😊

This is our chance to change the course of history in District 13. But I can’t do it alone. I need your voices, your votes, and your hearts behind this campaign. It’s not just about a name on a ballot—it’s about standing up for what’s right, fair, and just. Every dollar you contribute, every hour you volunteer, and every conversation you have about this campaign moves us closer to a more common-sense future.

Please, donate what you can, and cast your vote for a commonsense candidate who honestly believes in the power of the people. And if you’re considering the other candidates, just be fair to yourself and your family and make sure their family values and principles align with yours—please put your oxygen mask on first.

Please remember, that a vote for Gwen Samuel sends a clear message that WE District 13 will no longer settle for the same government business as usual. We demand a fiscally responsible government and forward-thinking progress that puts people over politics.

Together, let’s build the community we’ve always dreamed of—a ONE Connecticut.

Sincerely,
Gwen Samuel
Candidate for State Senate, District 13