Stonington — The six candidates running to represent the town in the General Assembly and as probate judge participated in a debate Tuesday night.

The event — sponsored by The League of Women Voters of Southeastern CT and the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, and held at the Dragonfly Equestrian Center — had a capacity of 55 invited people to ensure social distancing but was broadcast live on The Day’s website, the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce Facebook page and WBLQ radio. It will be rebroadcast on SECTV on Wednesday. It was the only scheduled debate between the candidates.

Incumbent Republican state Sen. Heather Somers of Groton and her Democratic challenger, Bob Statchen of Stonington, discussed issues including racism, criminal justice reform, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and others. The 18th District comprises eight communities, including Groton and Stonington.  

Somers said it has been an honor and privilege to represent the district and said she has done so impartially with the most bipartisan voting record in the Senate. She said she has taken the voices of the people of the district to Hartford and spoke in their support, even when she was at odds with her party.

Statchen, an attorney, business professor and Connecticut Air National Guard colonel, said he is running because these are difficult times and he thinks he can help. He said he is not partisan by nature and his parents were Republicans.

"But Republicans have lost their moral compass," he said, saying they have voted against family medical leave, a living wage and are trying to destroy the Affordable Care Act.   

The only tense moment of the debate came at the end, when Somers criticized Statchen for putting her photo on a flier that stated "Heather Somers is a Trump Enabler." She charged that Statchen had "weaponized" her image and said this is what women have had to deal with in business and politics for years.

Somers called the recently passed police accountability law a "horrible bill" even though she said it did some good things. Statchen called it a good first step because accountability is important for improving performance but added that nothing is perfect. 

Both agreed the state has done a good job responding to the COVID-19 pandemic but cautioned a second wave is coming. They also agree the state must address the impact of climate change and agreed systemic racism exists in the community.

Somers said she is discouraged "by the name-calling and labeling of individuals." Statchen said Black Lives Matter has brought forward issues that need to be addressed and that the state should lead the way with more equitable education, housing and transportation programs. Somers said the legislature has done a lot to address the issue, such as creating apprenticeship programs for socio-economic challenged areas, but still has a lot to do.

Also debating were incumbent Democratic state Rep. Kate Rotella of Mystic and her Republican challenger, Greg Howard of Pawcatuck. The 43rd District is composed of Stonington and North Stonington. 

Howard, a veteran Stonington police detective, said his top legislative priority would be making changes to the controversial police accountability bill, budget accountability and addressing rising taxes, as well as rising health care costs for small businesses and the time and expense it takes them to comply with regulations.

Rotella said she would continue to work for health care coverage for everyone, lower prescription drug costs and legalizing sports and internet gaming. She pointed to her work on the first two issues in her first term, as well as bringing funding to Stonington and North Stonington, such as $600,000 for sidewalks in Pawcatuck.

Howard said he would work to change some aspects of the police accountability law, such as the provision that ended qualified immunity for officers. He said he supports other aspects of the law, including mandatory cruiser and body cameras and mental health checkups for officers, adding that street-level officers did not have a seat at the table when the law was being written.

“The people of the 43rd District can now give officers a seat at that table,” he said.

Rotella said people in many professions have a legal and financial accountability and pointed out the law does not make officers personally accountable financially but the municipalities for which they work.

Asked about legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, Rotella said there first needs to be a valid way for police officers and employers to test if someone is under the influence. Howard said he never has arrested someone for committing a serious crime because they are using marijuana but he said that if the state does choose to sell and tax marijuana, it must funnel revenue to the interdiction of hard drugs whose use he said would increase.

Asked how the legislature can lead an economic recovery, Howard said there has to be accountability for spending instead of raising taxes. He also suggested rolling back regulations. Rotella recommended supporting small businesses with the programs they need, skilled workers and affordable college. She also recommended looking at every line item in the budget for cuts.

Howard said he is opposed to highway tolls, while Rotella said they have to be part of a comprehensive highway improvement plan.

The two candidates for judge of the southeastern Connecticut regional Probate District, Democrat Elizabeth Ladwig Leamon of Stonington and Republican Sal Ritacco of Pawcatuck, also debated. The court serves Stonington, North Stonington, Groton and Ledyard.

Leamon said she has practiced in 26 of the probate courts in the state and she has seen what works and what doesn't and she can bring that experience and knowledge of the law to help the community understand probate issues. Both Leamon and Ritacco supported continuing to hold virtual hearings, if people wish, to make the court more efficient.

Ritacco said he has resolved hundreds of cases in his practice and he would be looking to do that as probate judge. He said he would like to set up forums for local attorneys to help their clients plan their estate. He said this would help prevent difficult and tragic cases from having to reach the court. Both said they would be in court full time but maintain their private practices.

j.wojtas@theday.com