Recently a member of the Andover RTC posted on our Facebook page, attacking Tiffany Thiele, the Democratic candidate for the 55th Assembly District. It’s good to hear that Tiffany’s campaign has Republicans running scared. And given the voting record that Republican incumbent Robin Green has assembled, they should be scared.

The post attacking Tiffany focused on an ad she’s running on social media that calls Green out for her vote against legislation banning bump stocks. That bill passed overwhelmingly (114 to 35 in the House, 26 to 10 in the Senate) and was signed by the governor. Robin voted against it and, apparently, against the sentiments of the majority of her party (even Donald Trump is against bump stocks). Polls suggest that as much as 81 percent of voters favor a ban on these devices.

But Robin’s vote in favor of bump stocks is really just the first in a long list of votes that place her well outside the mainstream of even her own party.

• A majority of Republicans voted for the 2017 community health care worker bill (SB 126). Not Robin.
• A majority of Republicans voted for a 2017 bill prohibiting hospitals and pharmacies from engaging in certain deceptive and unfair practices (SB 445). Not Robin.
• A majority of Republicans voted for a 2017 bill to study ways of enacting the recommendations of the Diabetes Advisory Council (HB 6237). Not Robin.
• A majority of Republicans voted for a 2017 bill directing the Dept. of Public Heath to update its website with information allowing citizens to determine whether someone is a certified lactation specialist (HB 6487). Not Robin.
• A majority of Republicans (Senate and House combined) voted for the 2017 universal pre-k bill (SB 954). Not Robin.
• A majority of Republicans voted for a 2017 bill establishing a working group to study public-private partnerships as a way to bring new businesses to the state (HB 6749). Not Robin.
• A majority of Republicans voted for a 2017 bill making it easier for contractors to get paid upon completion of work (HB 7073). Not Robin.
• A majority of Republicans voted for the 2017 pay equity bill (HB 5591). Not Robin.
• A majority of Republicans voted for the 2018 Climate Change Planning and Resiliency bill (SB 7). Not Robin.
• A majority of Republicans voted for the 2018 omnibus energy bill that, among other things, supports clean and renewable energy programs (SB 9). Not Robin.
• A majority of Republicans voted for the 2018 bill capping (at 36%) the interest payday lenders can charge borrowers, among other consumer protections (HB 5490). Not Robin.
• A majority of Republicans voted for the 2018 bill protecting seniors from predatory reverse mortgage practices (SB 150). Not Robin.
• A majority of Republicans voted for the 2018 bill mandating essential health benefits for women and children (HB 5210). Not Robin.

These and other instances where Robin Green voted not just in the minority but in the minority of legislators from her own party show that she represents the extreme far right of the Republican Party and not the majority of voters in her district. Given her votes, can she even claim to represent the interests of most Republicans in the district?

55th District Candidate Tiffany Thiele with State Senator Steve Cassano

We choose to stand behind Tiffany Thiele because her values are Connecticut values and 55th District values. Tiffany supports common-sense gun laws and laws protecting the health benefits of women and children. She supports consumer protections, pay equity, and other steps to even the playing field between powerful corporations and the rest of us. And she will fight to ensure that our towns receive the state aid we deserve (Robin Green voted for budgets that reduced state aid to our towns).

Robin Green has had two years of experience as an elected official. She’s proven that’s two years too many.