Recently, Republican Senator Heather Somers used pictures in her campaign mailer of uniformed police officers and Groton City Mayor Keith Hedrick (a Democrat) without asking or receiving permission from the individual officers, the police department, or the mayor. Officers are prohibited from appearing in uniform in political campaign materials. She should know better.

It is infuriating that Somers would use local law enforcement officers and others as unwitting political props for her own benefit.

It is an ongoing pattern: She says one thing while her actions show the opposite. She claims to support the police but voted against their contract that included a raise. Now she thinks pictures with local uniformed officers will help her win re-election. But she does not respect them enough to ask their permission. It is wrong and misleading.

Most of us expect our elected officials to lead with integrity. Somers has failed again.

If you find this offensive, as I do, elect Democrat Bob Statchen. Bob is endorsed by the Independent Party and the Working Families Party. He is a veteran, a colonel in the National Guard, serves on the Stonington Board of Finance, and believes decency, honesty, and ethics matter.

Natalie Burfoot Billing

Mystic