Meet Mark Adams, Republican candidate for Connecticut's District 139 state representative
Election Day in Connecticut is Nov. 8, when dozens of candidates will vie for positions in federal and state offices. Several cities and towns will ask local questions on the ballot in addition to the statewide question about early voting.
The Norwich Bulletin sent questionnaires to candidates running for several state seats in Eastern Connecticut. The Bulletin is publishing the answers with edits only for grammar or if a candidate wrote over the word limit and did not resubmit a shorter version by deadline.
Two candidates are running for state representative for District 139. Mark Adams is the Republican candidate while Kevin Ryan is the Democratic candidate and incumbent. House District 139 includes Bozrah, Montville and Norwich.
Meet the Democratic candidateMeet Kevin Ryan, Democratic candidate for Connecticut's District 139 state representative
Name: Mark Adams
Campaign website: www.markadamsforct.com
Profession: Public Safety/ Security Supervisor
What makes you the best candidate to represent District 139?
I am the best candidate to represent District 139 for many reasons but the most important reason is that I care about the district and the people in it. I am a lifelong resident of New London County. I grew up in two of the three towns I’ll be representing, Gales Ferry and Norwich. I get to represent my hometowns, which is a tremendous honor that I’ll take great pride in. I’m in touch with what’s happening in our towns and relate to the needs of the people throughout the district. I have a family I’m raising and find it increasingly difficult to live with the rise in taxes and inflation affecting our basic daily necessities, food, gas, and heating oil, which current representation has put into place. Our lives have been impacted by the lack of strong leadership in Hartford and Washington for decades. I’ve had enough! And so have the people of southeastern CT. I’ve seen enough to be the one to step up and make these long overdue changes. I bring a new energy, a new view of today's issues and a new passion to serve the people of the 139th. I’m committed to improving our livelihood and have outlined a plan of action to make this happen. I’m not a career politician. I’m somebody who’s not afraid to work hard and do what’s best for the public. After all, as a public servant that’s exactly what I’m supposed to do, serve the public. I plan to be a very active, involved, visible and reachable representative. I’m ready to go to Hartford and fight for us, The People. “The time for change is NOW!”
What do you think is the biggest issue facing your district, and how would you solve it?
While there are many issues that are impacting our communities the issue that I constantly hear from talking to people at their doors is the rise in crimes and criminal behavior. Our people are scared. Our communities are not safe. That is a result of the current legislation and their passing of the Police Accountability Act. This has forced some police officers to change careers and has made would-be officers not want to join the force. Across the state, local and state police agencies are decimated with vacancies they can’t fill. This has caused there to be less police on the streets and the beneficiaries are the criminals. As our state representative, I plan on working very hard to overturn this act. To fund the police and get them the necessary resources and staffing levels so we have enough officers to deter these crimes. I plan on holding criminals 100% accountable for their crimes, including juveniles, and imposing tougher sentences. Less crime equals safer neighborhoods, people wanting to move to these communities, better schools, better businesses, and a better quality of life.