Markley, Robertson vie for 16th District

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Joe Markley
Joe Markley

PROSPECT — Following endorsements earlier this year it looked as if state Sen. Joseph Markley (R-16) would be unopposed in his bid for re-election. That will not be the case as Working Families Party candidate Christopher Robertson stepped forward to challenge him.

Markley, 57, is seeking his third consecutive term representing the district, which covers Wolcott and parts of Cheshire, Prospect, Southington and Waterbury.

Markley, a Southington resident, held the seat in 1984 for one term before winning it back in 2010. During his 24-year hiatus from the state Senate, Markley served as the chairman of the Southington Republican Town Committee and, until this year, taught English at Lincoln College of New England in Southington.

Markley said he’s seeking re-election because he wants to continue to help his constituents and the state.

“I’d feel like I was abandoning my post if I left my position now,” Markley said.

Markley is facing a challenge from Robertson, 49, a Plantsville resident. Robertson, a registered Democrat, served on Cheshire’s Sewer Water Pollution Control Authority from 1989 until 1991. He also ran for the state representative seat for the 89th District in 1990.

Robertson said he took time away from politics to be with his family. But, now that his children are grown, he is once again following his passion for politics.

Christopher Robertson
Christopher Robertson

“Now that my kids are in their late teens and early 20s I decided it was a good time to get back into politics,” said Robertson, who works as a regional sales manager for National Chemical Laboratories out of Philadelphia.

Markley hopes to help the district and state by putting policies in place that will turn the economy around.

“I think the state is in a dreadful situation between our high taxes, our debt and our poor economic growth. The principals I subscribe to of limited government and fiscal responsibility are exactly what we need,” Markley said.

Markley said he would continue to work to stabilize the state’s fiscal condition if re-elected in November.

“Legislators should get the state’s fiscal house in order by controlling spending and holding the line on taxes and reducing regulatory burdens on businesses. That’s always been my approach. I think it’s critical we move in that direction,” Markley said.

Robertson is also concerned about the direction the economy has been heading. He said one of his biggest economic concerns is how the state treats businesses.

“As we all know Connecticut is very unattractive to companies. We tax them to death. We tax their vehicles, we tax their employees, we tax their machinery,” Robertson said.

Robertson pointed to one of his friends, who works as a chiropractor and has his machinery taxed each year, as an example of the state not doing right by businesses.

“That’s very unfriendly. You don’t need to tax his x-ray machine. I would find a way to make it very attractive to move here and do business in the State of Connecticut,” Robertson said.

Markley said one of the major issues he would tackle if re-elected is the early prison release program that was approved earlier this year.

“It came to the legislature at the last moment without discussion or a public hearing. It has resulted in horrible crimes, including murders,” Markley said.

Markley introduced a bill last year to repeal the program in order to craft one that works.

“We need to have a proper conversation about release credits for convicts. We need to have a system in place to work with them after they get out of jail,” Markley said.

Markley said he would also continue to work to provide homecare options for the elderly.
Markley authored and sponsored legislation during his first term in the 1980s that expanded the options for homecare for seniors. He wants to continue and expand upon his original work.

Robertson said one of the big issues he feels the state is facing is the fact that so many young people are moving out of state.

“I want as many young people to go to our state colleges and universities as possible,” Robertson said.

Robertson said one of the problems the state, and nation as a whole, is facing is the fact that so many students are leaving college with large student debts. Robertson is hoping to give Connecticut students who attend college in state a $2,500 credit per year towards their tuition.

“This will lower the burden of them coming out of college,” Robertson said. “I want to keep the students here. I want to make it affordable for students going to college.”

Robertson wants voters to know that he would work on both sides of the aisle to help the state. He also voiced his displeasure with Markley’s service.

“My message to voters is that my opponent has had four years and he has brought nothing to the table before the towns he has represents. No grants, no money. The only thing my opponent has done is cost taxpayers money by suing the governor,” Robertson said.

Markley’s message to voters was that he would work to bring fiscal constraint to the state — something he feels has been missing for a long time.

“I believe we have been going in the wrong direction in Connecticut for many years. It’s going to take time to get state back on track. The first thing we have to do is change course. We need to elect a new governor and legislators that support change,” Markley said.