Kim Rose. Contributed photo.
State Rep. Kim Rose was unanimously endorsed May 24 to run for the 118th House district by the Milford Democratic Town Committee at the 118th District Democratic Convention at the Milford Elks lodge. Rose was nominated by Democratic Town Chairman Rich Smith and seconded by former Milford State Rep. Pete Smith.
Rose has held the seat since 2010.
Rich Smith said Rose was a fighter for her constituents, from stopping overdevelopment in Devon to making sure Milford has a strong voice in Hartford.
In seconding, Pete Smith spoke about Rose’s independence, saying, “I work at the Capital every day and I see Kim in action. She doesn’t stop. Kim is Milford’s independent voice in Hartford. She understands government needs to do more with less. Kim is committed to driving efficiencies into state government. When we need a strong voice, Kim is there for all of us.”
Most recently Rose worked with legislative leadership to stop legislation that would have studied the implementation of tolls in Connecticut.
“I brought my constituents’ voice to Hartford and helped stop the toll proposal from moving forward,” Rose said. “The people of the 118th said loud and clear, ‘No tolls.’ Connecticut needs a plan to invest in our aging infrastructure and fund our transportation system. We can’t grow business without an improved transportation system, but just adding tolls is not the answer.”
Rose voted against a budget proposed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy that would have raised taxes and has supported bipartisan budgets that don’t raising taxes.
She has also led the fight to pass legislation for a moratorium on affordable housing, successfully helping override the governor’s veto.
“It has been my honor to serve my friends and neighbors in Milford’s 118th district, which includes Devon, Laurel Beach, Rivercliff, Meadowside, Fort Trumbull, Downtown and West River Street. I have worked hard to be available to everyone. I represent every registered voter in my district whether they are Democrats, Republicans, Independent, or unaffiliated. We are all the voices of Milford,” she said.
“We will be facing many challenges next session,” she added. “The budget will be our biggest concern: how to provide important services without adding additional taxes. My leadership and experience will be needed to protect Milford while protecting all of our taxpayers. I hope that I have earned your support in November.”