His first two-year term representing the 20th District in the state Senate was a learning experience for state Sen. Paul Formica. He was used to being the guy in charge, whether as owner of Flanders Fish Market in East Lyme or in his prior work as a public official as first selectman in that town. After his 2014 election, Formica planned to put those leadership qualities to work in Hartford. He expected his ability to work in bipartisan fashion, repeatedly demonstrated in his time as first selectman, would serve him well in the legislature.

Formica, 63, learned with some frustration, however, that as just one of 36 senators, and as a member of the Republican minority to boot, his opportunities were more limited than he expected. While the administration of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy did involve Republicans in the early stages of budget discussions in 2015, ultimately the Democrats, in control of the House, Senate and governor’s seat, opted to put the budget in place they wanted.

So why return Formica to office? First off, because Republicans, now trailing 21-15 in seats, have the opportunity to reduce the Democratic majority in the Senate and, potentially, take control of the body. In a Senate with a stronger minority standing, and certainly in one with Republicans in charge, Formica’s influence could increase significantly. That would be a good thing, because the legislature would do well to draw on Formica’s experience in both business and in municipal governance. Formica is a fiscal conservative, but one who recognizes the need to maintain a social safety net. He is pragmatic in his approach to policy, collaborative in pursuit of policy goals.

Secondly, by returning Formica to office, voters of the 20th District — Bozrah, East Lyme, New London, Old Lyme, Salem, Waterford and parts of Montville and Old Saybrook — will get a senator who is tuned into the issues that are of the most importance to the region.

For example, Formica is committed to adjusting utility regulations so that Millstone Power Station owner Dominion can lock up in long-term contracts some of the sales of the electricity produced by the two nuclear reactors in Waterford. That would allow Millstone to compete with natural-gas powered electric generation plants, which have an advantage in the daily spot market.

Millstone, Formica recognizes, is not only a major local employer and taxpayer, but also critical to meeting energy needs and doing so without generating greenhouse emissions.

Likewise, Formica will work from the Republican side of the aisle, whoever is in control of the Senate, to maintain state funding in support of New London’s conversion to an all-magnet-schools district.

On fiscal matters, Formica will work to ensure the state’s constitutional spending cap is enforceable, place caps on borrowing, and require that after the governor negotiates labor contracts with state employees those contracts go to the legislature for approval, which is not now the case.

In 33-year-old Democrat Ryan Henowitz, Formica faces an idealistic opponent who fancies himself a crusader for working people.

A former lobbyist for AFT Connecticut, the powerful teachers’ union, Henowitz does not want the budget balanced by laying off or taking away the benefits of state workers. Yet the reality is that without finding labor-related savings, Connecticut cannot enact a sustainable budget.

Henowitz advocates for a $15 state minimum wage (it goes to $10.10 on Jan. 1). And he says large corporate businesses that pay low wages, and whose workers therefore end up on food stamps and government-backed Medicaid, should pay fines to cover those state costs. The Democrat also wants a paid family leave requirement.

At the federal level, these are ideas that have merit. But if Connecticut unilaterally passes such pro-labor laws, it will further cement its reputation as being a costly place to do business and hinder the state’s ability to compete for jobs.

The better choice is Paul Formica, our endorsed candidate for Senate in the 20th District.