Saavedra Intends to Run for 6th District
By Robin Vinci | Editor at March 17, 2024 | 6:00 pm | Print
School Board President Sharon Beloin Saavedra has announced she plans to run for the 6th District seat in November.
Saavedra, a life long resident of New Britain, a public school advocate, a special education and community services advocate, said she can and does work well across party lines to get things done.
“I announce my intention to run for the Sixth District Senate Seat,” she said. “I have been fortunate to receive support and encouragement from a cross section of this multi town district. In this hot political climate of vitriol and tapping into peoples’ fear and resentment - I will run a campaign based on the greater good, the collective positive energy of people of goodwill who are willing to ‘loose the label’ for honest government focused on the whole community.”
She said her campaign messaging will focus on education as the economic engine of our communities and that our businesses needs directly tie into our education system.
“I will engage in a listening tour of the sixth district to meet my constituents and hear the issues that are important to them,” she said. “I am proud to have a non-traditional campaign team in place. No political pollsters or paid staff, but rather shoe leather and person to person contact.”
Saavedra, a Democrat, will run against fellow Democrat Theresa Gerratana who is the incumbent.
According to the Hartford Courant, Gerratana, who has been state senator for 6 years, has announced her intention to run.
No Republican nominee has come forward to announce they are running for this position in November at this time.
Treasurer for Saavedra will be former Alderman Tobias Freeman; Campaign manager is Andrea Foligno, third grade teacher at Gaffney and life long resident of New Britain.
“I have worked with Sharon on many issues impacting education and I am inspired by her dedication and leadership style – she never shies away from the hard truths and is a tireless advocate for public education,” said Foligno. “Sharon is a passionate person who seeks to improve the quality of life for everyone. Our campaign will engage members of the community in this grass roots effort – addressing the issues that affect the daily lives of our neighbors.”
Fundraising Captain Judy Greco, Saavedra’s former guidance counselor and current colleague on the BOE, Berlin Field Team is Janice Mancini Mals and Patti Clinch Kozikowski a New Britain PreK teacher; Farmington liaison Mary Jane Cullum Parlow a retired New Britain teacher; Community and Parent outreach coordinators Daisy Sanchez, Nicole Crawford Rodriguez, Judy Rosario, Zofia Soto, Beth Mazadoorian, Brian Riley, Brian Keith Albert and Tina Santana.
“I am extremely excited to endorse Sharon Beloin-Saavedra as a candidate for the State Senate 6th District,” said Parlow. “Sharon has served many years in local government and has proven herself to be a true leader. As Chair of the New Britain School Board, her knowledge, dedication and experience, especially in the budget process, has certainly made her a qualified candidate.”
Sharon is a vision for the future and she will be a strong voice for us in Farmington.”
Her first campaign fundraiser will be on April 20 from 5-8 p.m. at the Whinstone (Stanley Golf Course ). Suggested donation $25.
Saavedra attended local schools and graduated from NBHS in 1983. She graduated from CCSU in 1987. She Interned for State Rep. Irene Favreau 1987; hired as Clerk of the Human Services Committee 1988; Hired as Legislative Aide to Senator Joe Harper 1991; Served on the City Council for four years during the DeFronzo Administration; Served on the Finance Board during Mayor Blogoslawski’s Administration; Served on the Commission on Persons’ with Disabilities during Mayor Tim Stewart’s Administration; Elected to the Board of Education in 2005 - she is currently in her 11th year of service.
Saavedra is married to Ed Saavedra (21 years) and have three children. Two of whom are challenged by autism.
“I am humbled and graced by their spirits. My daughter Gabriella is a graduating senior at NBHS and she will become the fourth generation from the Beloin family to have that honor,” Saavedra added. “My parents, my sister, my husband’s mother and sisters live in either New Britain or Berlin - this campaign will be a family commitment.”
Campaign message: education is the economic engine of all communities! Support of and for public schools regardless of zip code is imperative and crucial to economic development and workforce readiness. The survival of our communities depends upon the success of our students to become employed contributing members of society who are not faced with a huge debt upon college graduation.
One of Saavedra’s campaign priorities will be to undertake a “Listening Tour” of my district - to hear the thoughts and concerns of residents living in the Sixth Senatorial District.
