Jill Oberlander, candidate for Connecticut State Senate, District 36, was endorsed by the Democratic Party on Monday night.
Oberlander, known in Greenwich from her prior service as a Greenwich Selectperson and Chair of the Board of Estimate & Taxation (BET), is running to fill the seat vacated by Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Fazio.
Greenwich Selectwoman Rachel Khanna nominated Oberlander. She cited Oberlander had experience in town and a record of fiscally responsible policies, including overseeing the lowest tax increases in over a decade during her time chairing the town’s BET, as her reason to support Oberlander on Monday.
In addition to receiving the Party endorsement, Oberlander received endorsements from key elected officials in the district, including Congressman Jim Himes, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons, and New Canaan Selectwoman Amy Murphy Carroll.
“Whether in the boardroom or in public office, the values that guide me have always been the same: care for people and a commitment to being a good citizen, neighbor, and American,” Oberlander said on Monday night. “As a lawyer, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and I believe deeply that no one is above the law. At a time when corruption and chaos are making people question whether the system still works, we cannot walk away from that promise. We recommit to it by easing burdens for families, standing up for what’s right, and defending the democratic values that hold this country together.”
“I’ve known Jill Oberlander for over a decade and in her service on the RTM, BET, and the Board of Selectmen, and she has always gone above and beyond to deliver for her constituents,” said Congressman Himes. “We need more leaders like Jill at the state level who have the experience and moral fortitude to fight for what is right. She knows the challenges facing this district and our state, and understands what it takes to deliver results.”
“As Mayor, it is vital that I work closely with our state delegation to deliver on the city’s most pressing challenges. I know that Jill Oberlander will make an incredible addition to the team representing us in Hartford,” Mayor Simmons said. “Her commitment to strengthening our economy, creating more jobs, addressing healthcare and childcare costs, and tackling our infrastructure challenges are the priorities we need to address to move our communities and state forward. She has my full support.”
“We need more legislators in Hartford who understand the unique needs of New Canaan and the rest of the district and are ready to fight for them once elected,” said New Canaan Selectperson Amy Murphy Carroll. “Jill Oberlander has a clear vision for our district and our state, including making our state more business friendly, addressing large scale issues like our energy crisis and utility costs, and helping to backstop the terrible and financially damaging policies coming out of D.C. Jill is the exact kind of leader we need right now.”
“I’ll be laser-focused on the critical, everyday issues people care about — affordability, energy costs, and making sure that anyone who wants to work can find a good job and build a life here,” Oberlander said. “At the same time, I will do everything in my power to make sure the people of the 36th remain safe and protected from government overreach. This is not abstract to me. This is my job description. You’re about to make this official and for that, I am grateful and deeply honored.”