Submitted by COL (R) Frank V Kelly, JD, MS
Dear Editor,
I have known Joe Kelly longer than anyone else. I heartily and unreservedly recommend Joe for State Senate. Connecticut needs legislators who listen carefully, respect taxpayers, and bring practical experience to public service. Joe Kelly is the man for State Senate in the 36th District in 2026.
Joe cares for no special interest and is willing to fight for right and right only. He does not bend to political pressure- ever. Kelly offers direct experience connected to the work of a state senator. His service on Greenwich’s Board of Education, including a year as chair, gave him insight into the challenging financial and cultural decisions facing schools, students, and families. His business leadership is unmatched – when Joe says he came from zero economic advantage – I can confirm Joe is a driven and totally self-made success. He understands financial decision making, the ramifications of them and the impact on the people who depend on them.
That combination matters, but integrity matters most. Education, political fashion, and fiscal policy should not be competing priorities. We need representatives who can support strong schools while asking hard questions about spending, accountability, and long-term affordability. But Joe will always follow the old admonition- Justice, Justice you will do. He will do what is right and fight you if try anything else. This is not a new trend adopted for the campaign. Joe will not back down and will not be cowed into going along to get along.
Joe has emphasized fiscal discipline, local control of zoning, and greater transparency in state government. These are important commitments to the voters.
Citizens should have control of the shaping of their communities. That control must be dynamic and forward looking. New problems require new solutions- our old problems also require new solutions. Voters can count on Joe to turn his principled views on financial stewardship, common sense approaches to our problems into practical legislation tempered by humanity and the experience of one who has fought the hard fight.
Joe will collaborate with anyone and everyone with an idea of value, regardless of political persuasion. Truth and genius are not exclusive to any group. If it works Joe will go with it.
Joe will inject some hard-headed sanity into the government process and will work tirelessly to find and implement solutions. He is an open book. My view is no campaign spin. If you asked me 20 or more years ago for an evaluation, it would be the same. Joe does not stop working until he gets to where we need to be. In the Senate, he will do that for the Voters.
Sincerely,
COL (R) Frank V Kelly, JD, MS
Councilman Emeritus
Editor’s note: Letters to the editor about candidates in the Nov 3, 2026 election, we will accept letters for consideration from Oct 1 to the 27. The deadline is a week before the election: Oct 27 at 12:00 noon. There is typically a backlog of letters received right up to the deadline, so we will continue to publish some of those letters after the deadline.