Colin graduated magna cum laude from Tulane Law School in 2008, and after serving as a research clerk in our Superior Court, joined the Heffernan Legal Group where he’s practiced law in the community for 12 years. Through his experience as a general practice attorney he’s supported clients during their most difficult times, a unique perspective he’ll bring to serving his constituents. Colin served on the town of Old Saybrook Zoning Commission, currently chairs the Old Saybrook Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission as well as the Old Saybrook Aquifer Protection Agency and is on the Old Saybrook Education Foundation Board.
1. What is the most serious problem currently facing the state of Connecticut? Why is it the most serious problem? What would you do to help solve the problem?
Affordability/Combating Global Inflation: From the price of housing to energy costs, Connecticut can be a tremendously expensive place to live. If people cannot afford to live and work here, the state cannot thrive. We need to focus on finding a solution to the affordable housing crisis that will allow towns to fill their individual housing needs, and work towards a future where energy can be reliable, affordable and sustainable. These are hard issues that will take a great deal of study and diligence to tackle. Every time residents buy their groceries or fill up at the gas pump, they feel the effects of inflation.
Fortunately, our latest budget has put us in a fantastic position to address our affordability issues head on. Not only were we able to cut taxes in our latest budget, we fully funded our rainy day fund and paid billions of dollars towards our pension liabilities, which will save us hundreds of millions of dollars in the long run. We cannot squander the opportunity. As our State Representative, I will work with the Governor and the legislature to provide economic relief by stopping runaway health insurance costs, increasing affordable housing opportunities, and putting us on the path to an energy system that does not expose us to the wild swings in fuel prices that we are currently facing.
2. If elected/re-elected, which issues (excluding the one you have described in Q1) would be your primary focus during your term?
- Defending Reproductive Rights: My daughter is eight years old and it horrifies me to envision a world where she will have less bodily autonomy and fewer rights than my mother, my sister and my partner had when they were making their own family planning decisions. Reproductive rights are under attack by radical forces in Washington, D.C. and across the country. With the repeal of Roe v. Wade, I’m committed to enshrining protections for abortion at the state level, so abortion continues to be legal, accessible, and safe. I will advocate for improving sexual and reproductive health and rights for all people. Make no mistake, reproductive freedom is very much on the ballot this year. Clarence Thomas explicitly said so in his Dobbs concurrence and on October 19, Mike Pence promised to take his anti-choice agenda to “every state house in America”. I promise to fight that agenda every step of the way.
- Climate Change: The scientific community is in agreement – climate change is an existential threat and the 23rd district has three towns on Long Island Sound, putting us on the front lines of sea level rise and extreme weather. As your next representative, I’m committed to fighting for an environmentally sustainable future, so we can leave the next generations with an hospitable planet. My priorities are: improving our infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of climate change; finding ways to transition our transportation and energy systems toward carbon-free options in an economically viable way, and leveraging state and federal resources to help people afford the most sustainable technology available.
- Gun Safety: I believe the only solution to our gun violence epidemic is to keep assault weapons off the street and to close every loophole that allows guns to fall into the wrong hands. I’ll vote to preserve common sense gun control and ensure we do everything we can to save lives while at the same time preserving safe and legal gun ownership for responsible gun owners.
3. Why are you running for this position?
After being asked to run for State Representative earlier this spring, I did some research on our current representative’s voting record. I discovered that his voting record did not match his marketing materials and I feel that his extreme positions on women’s rights, climate change and gun safety are not representative of the 23rd District’s values. Actions speak louder than words and as your State Representative, I’ll fight to make Connecticut more affordable, defend fundamental rights, combat the effects of climate change and keep lethal weapons out of dangerous hands.