Meet the Candidates: Rep J. Brendan Sharkey, D-88

What he says:  My name is Brendan Sharkey, and I’m running for my seventh term as Hamden’s state representative in the 88th District, which after redistricting comprises the neighborhoods of West Woods, Mount Carmel, Centerville and Spring Glen.

Over the past two years, I have served as the Majority Leader in the State House of Representatives, and it is my hope and expectation that when the General Assembly convenes in January I will be elected Speaker of the House.

During my time in the legislature, I have championed the cause of property tax reform through better, smarter and more efficient government at the state and local level. I believe that in addition to maintaining state aid, the best way to achieve true property tax reform is to promote regional efficiencies among towns and more coordinated planning in economic development, transportation, housing and environmental protection that encourages responsible grand list growth.

I have also led in promoting jobs. With my counterpart in the state senate, Senator Martin Looney, I convened the Majority Leaders’ Job Growth Roundtable in 2009 to set a foundation for smart policy initiatives to promote job development in the face of the Great Recession. Once Governor Malloy took office in 2011, many of the Roundtable’s concepts were incorporated into the bipartisan Jobs Bill that was adopted in special session later that year and are now bearing fruit throughout the state.

Being speaker is an extraordinary opportunity. While I plan to continue the initiatives I’ve worked on during my legislative career, my first concern will always be to my constituents and the Town of Hamden. I thank everyone in town for having supported me throughout my career and for providing me with the opportunity to serve my community and my state, and I ask for their continued support on Election Day.