Tag Archives: Ceci Maher

Ken Bernhard Leaves State Senate Race

Ken Bernhard has ended his campaign for State Senate, from the 26th District.

The attorney — active in many civic causes, at the local and international levels — is a former Republican State Representative. He switched his party affiliation several years ago. He was running as a Democratic to succeed retiring Senator Will Haskell.

Bernhard says:

“It appears that my past affiliation with the Republican party is viewed by many in the DTC as an insurmountable obstacle to securing the Democratic nomination in May. I do not wish to undermine the strength and unity of our party by engaging in a contentious primary challenge.

Ken Bernhard

“It is my sincere hope that my campaign has brought focus and attention to some of the important issues facing Connecticut, and that it generated productive discussions on how best to deal with them.

“As I return to my active law practice and continue to serve the public in my work with non-profit humanitarian organizations, I want to express my gratitude to my many friends and supporters — on both sides of the aisle — for their confidence, encouragement, and generous campaign contributions.

“I wish Ceci Maher the best of luck in her campaign and urge all voters in the 26th District to support her on November 8.”

Maher, a Wilton resident long active in many Westport-based organizations, is the lone Democrat still running. Westporter Michael Gordon — a former Board of Education chair — entered the race, but left due to time constraints with his full-time job and family.

Ceci Maher To Run For State Senate

Ceci Maher has announced her candidacy for the 26th State Senate District. She joins fellow Democrat Ken Bernhard, in bids to succeed retiring Senator Will Haskell. She says:

I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support I have received. I know that this energy and enthusiasm comes from a history of service; I have earned the trust and respect of our communities.

I’m running because I have experience that matters and I care deeply about the 26th district. I have a solid background in budget management and understand the economic struggles we all face. While CEO of Sandy Hook Promise, I worked every day to support gun violence prevention in schools and communities.

Fourteen years of leading Person-to-Person taught me how much we can achieve, when we work together. I am deeply committed to women’s rights, and increasing voter access.

Ceci Maher

I’ve spent nearly all my life in Fairfield County. I grew up in Stamford, worked in New Canaan and Darien, volunteered in Westport, and raised my family first in Norwalk and later in Wilton, where I call home.

In Westport I am on the advisory board of Westport Pride, and handled fundraising for the Pride event last June. I also volunteered with the ReSisters, including GOTV efforts, traveling with them to Pennsylvania to register college students to vote, and worked on additional voter registration efforts. Years ago I was president of the Junior League, and we had members from Westport.

In a lifetime of living in our community, I’ve met people from all walks of life – and I’ve seen that we share so much in common, no matter who we are and what city or town we live in. Our neighbors are fundamentally good and decent. We care about our families, our towns, and one another. We turn out to help in natural disasters and we show up to support our neighbors in times of need.

In 20 years of leading nonprofits, volunteering, and holding local public office, I’ve had the chance to on some of the most important issues our communities face, from educational opportunity to access to food and housing.

It’s been a tough few years for so many of us, from the pandemic to the economy to national politics. But I remain optimistic about our future because I know we can work together and make progress on our community’s most important issues.

And I look forward to listening to and hearing from voters to understand what matters most to them.”