Colapietro and Welch face off in sole state Senate debate

Photo shared by James Bailey Brislin

During the sole debate of the campaign Tuesday, both of the men seeking the 31st District’s state Senate seat agreed they have sharply contrasting views of what the legislature should do in its next term.
The 18-year-incumbent, Democrat Tom Colapietro, said his views are “absolutely opposite” those voiced by his Republican challenger, Jason Welch.
Welch said they have “two different visions of government” and dismissed Colapietro’s as “the vision of the past.”
Welch, an attorney, said the state needs a new direction away from two decades’ worth of stagnant job growth, high energy costs and high taxes.
He said his own vision includes “a fiscally responsible government,” across-the-board spending cuts, reductions in unfunded mandates and other measures aimed at convincing businesses to take a chance on Connecticut and to begin hiring.
Colapietro, a retired factory worker and former union lobbyist, said he’s proud of what he’s achieved in Hartford over the years.
“I have a record. I’ve done a lot of good for a lot of people,” Colapietro said.
The two faced off at Chippens Hill Middle School in a forum sponsored by the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce. About 125 people attended
I'll post a link to the full story by morning.
Update: You can watch some of the debate thanks to Press photographer Mike Orazzi:

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