Pelletier Declares for State's 4th Senate Seat as Republican

Manchester Board of Directors member is running for the 4th Senate seat now held by .

Pelletier hit the ground running already garnering endorsements from State Representatives Pamela Sawyer and Prasad Srinivasan; Bolton First Selectman Robert Morra; Lou Spaddacini, former mayor of Manchester; and Matthew Galligan, Chairman of the Manchester Republican Town Committee.

The 4th Senate District covers Andover, Bolton, Manchester and Glastonbury. Cassano, 65, served as Manchester mayor from 1991 to 2005 before coming out of retirement to narrowly win the Senate seat in 2010.

Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone every day with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

"Our government can do better," Pelletier said in announcing her candidacy. "I want to make sure that government is responsive to our needs, our state thrives and the dreams we all share for today and tomorrow are realized."

Pelletier is a lifelong Manchester resident. She attended St. James elementary school, East Catholic High School, and Manchester Community College where she earned her A.S. Degree in 1990. She also graduated Cum Laude from La Salle University in 1992 with a B. A. Degree in Psychology/Health Care Administration.

Galligan said that he was proud to endorse Pelletier both "as a friend and very concerned resident of the 4th State Senate District. I have seen first-hand the energy and conviction she has brought to the Manchester Board of Directors throughout her tenure," he added. 

"Cheri has consistently fought to improve the economy and community in Manchester. She has a proven record of achievement that I know will also benefit the towns of Bolton, Glastonbury, and Andover. Above all, I know that Cheri will serve the people of the 4th in the State Senate, and not the whim of 'out of touch' politicians and policies," Galligan said.

Pelletier has served on the Manchester Board of Directors since 2005. In that time she has helped pass balanced budgets every year she has been in office including recession years; helped secure a Triple A bond rating which reduced town bonding and borrowing costs; promoted "single Stream' recycling; advocated for and funded a new Youth Services Center and directed the Broad Street Redevelopment Plan.

Pelletier is a self-employed property and business manager and has worked with the elderly as an Outreach Social Worker in Glastonbury. As a workshop leader for Literacy Volunteers and an elementary teacher for children with disabilities, she has used her volunteer experiences as an opportunity to motivate, educate and inspire others to achieve success.

Pelletier said that with "my board range of experience in both business and social needs, especially for children and the elderly, I am confident I can provide the type of leadership and service that the residents of the 4th Senate District both need, and deserve."