Henri Martin is a Republican member of the Connecticut State Senate. First elected to the Senate in 2014, he has represented Connecticut's 31st State Senate district since 2015.
Education and business career Martin graduated from Bristol Central High School in 1974 and received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Saint Anselm College in 1978.Chris Hunn, Candidate Profiles: Henri Martin, 31st District , Republican-American (October 29, 2016). He is a real estate broker. He owns Henri Martin Real Estate and Broad Street Self Storage.Henri Martin wins 31st District Senate seat , Register Citizen (November 8, 2016).
Political career From 2011 to 2013, Martin was a member of the Bristol City Council.Kyle Constable, Control of the CT Senate at stake in battleground districts , CT Mirror (August 15, 2016).
State Senate elections He won election to the Senate seat for the 31st district in 2014, in the open seat being vacated by Republican Jason Welch, who decided not to run for reelection. Martin defeated Democratic nominee Robert Michalik, the town attorney for Plainville. In addition to Bristol and Plainville, the 31st district includes Harwinton, Plymouth, and Thomaston. The legislature's addition of Thomaston to the 31st district in 2012 (during the redistricting process) gave the district more Republican-leaning voters, helping Martin to prevail in 2014. In the 2016 election, Martin defeated Democratic nominee Michael Nicastro, who previously led the Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. Martin was reelected in the 2018 election, defeating Democratic nominee Christopher Wright, a former state representative.Martin claims another term in 31st Senate District , Republican-American (November 7, 2018). Martin won reelection in the 2020 election, defeating Bristol City Councilwoman Mary Fortier, the Democratic candidate.Mary Fortier challenging incumbent Henri Martin in 31st Senate District race , Republican-American (September 26, 2020).Election History: November 3, 2020 General Election, State Senator, District 31 , Secretary of the State of Connecticut. In 2022, Martin won a fifth term, defeating Democratic nominee Greg Hahn, a Bristol city councilman.Democrats Greg Hahn and Andrew Rasmussen-Tuller announce candidacies for state office , Bristol Edition (April 20, 2022).Election History: November 8, 2022 General Election, State Senator, District 31 , Secretary of the State of Connecticut.
Tenure Martin opposes legalization of marijuana in Connecticut,Daniela Altimari and Christopher Keating, House GOP threatens filibuster of Connecticut legal weed bill , Hartford Courant (June 8, 2021). and has been an outspoken opponent of proposals to introduce highway tolls in the state.Susan Haigh, Cities, towns passing resolutions opposing highway tolls , Associated Press (March 5, 2019).Jean Falbo-Sosnovich, Packed house at Derby's City Hall say no to tolls , New Haven Register (March 20, 2019).Christine Stuart, Anti-toll rally draws thousands in Hartford, CTPost (May 18, 2019).
In 2017, Martin voted in favor of a gambling expansion bill to allow the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to develop a casino in East Windsor.Mark Pazniokas, Tribes win casino fight in Senate, face battle in House , CTMirror (May 24, 2017). In 2020, Martin opposed Governor Ned Lamont's proposal to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative to reduce carbon emissions; like other Republicans, Martin arguing that the proposal would increase energy prices.Matt Caron, Gov. Lamont takes a regional approach to transportation investment through climate change agreement , WTIC-TV (December 22, 2020). In 2022, Martin voted against an abortion safe-harbor bill.Ken Dixon, CT safe-harbor abortion bill approved amid Democrats' racial divide , CT Insider (April 30, 2022).
Martin was one of two ranking Republican members of the Transportation Committee in 2019,Keith M. Phaneuf, DOT says transportation capital program needs more funding , CTMirror (April 8, 2019). and in 2023 he was the ranking Republican member of the Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee (which considers tax measures in Connecticut).Susan Haigh, Connecticut Senate passes $51 billion budget with historic tax cut, governor says he'll sign it , Associated Press (June 6, 2023).Susan Haigh, Lawmakers agree on tax cuts though debate over how, when , Associated Press (April 6, 2022). He is also a member of the State Bond Commission; in that role, he has criticized the Connecticut Port Authority over its oversight of a long-troubled project to redevelop the New London-based State Pier.Andrew Brown, Manager at CT State Pier recommended itself for $87M in contracts , CTMirror (November 20, 2022).Keith M. Phaneuf, Port Authority chair: Officials knew State Pier would cost more than $93M , CTMirror (May 26, 2022).Hugh McQuaid, Bond Commission Approves More Borrowing for Troubled State Pier Project , CTNewsJunkie (June 30, 2023).
References
External links Election History from the Office of the Secretary of the State of Connecticut