I like a great deal of what Melissa Schlag has to say. I share many of her values and look forward to working with her; however, I believe that both The New London Day and the The I Hartford Courant have made a serious error in their endorsement of her in the race in the 33rd Senate District. The election in the 33rd, as was the previous one, is too close to call. As is frequently the case in such elections, a vote for a third-party candidate often leads to victory by a candidate who doesn’t represent the values of either the voter or the community. Art Linares is an inexperienced conservative ideologue who, if elected, would not protect the social, economic or environmental interests of our District.

I am a progressive Democrat who has voted for third party candidates when I believed that my vote would not contribute to a conservative victory. As a member of the Clinton Democratic Town Committee I am engaged in a constant struggle for a more progressive Democratic Party at all levels. I have worked with Jim Crawford to advance legislation in areas where the needs of the people of his District and/or the State were not being served. I know that he will listen to the voters on the Shoreline and River Valley sections of the 33rd District.

In this close election all progressives, liberals, independents and environmentalists should band together in support of a Crawford victory.