West Hartford’s Mark Merritt will be the Republican candidate for State Senate in the 5th district.

Mark Merritt. Submitted photo

Submitted

Financial professional Mark Merritt Wednesday was unanimously chosen as the Republican candidate for the 5th State Senate District and will challenge Sen. Beth Bye, who has been a leading advocate for record state spending.

“The math doesn’t lie, Connecticut is broke and we must try a different way,” said Merritt. “The middle class as well as small and mid-size companies needs someone who wants more opportunity, not more government.”

Merritt has never sought public office, but was propelled to run because voters are eager for change and to cast away career politicians unwilling to change for the betterment of all. Connecticut is an economic basket case. Merritt said Bye has been a leading voice for bigger, more expensive state programs and completely oblivious to the effect of her policies.

“Sen. Bye’s answer to every problem or challenge is to simply make others pay for a government solutions that doesn’t work,” said Merritt. “I believe we need to create a collaborative environment that promotes opportunity, growth and investment. Which means we take the money out of the hands of bureaucrats, only then do we give our children a reason to stay in our state.”

A classic example, Merritt said, was Bye’s unqualified support and vote for a state labor contract for University of Connecticut employees that would have awarded large pay increases even when the state was running huge deficits. The contract became so politically toxic, no final vote was held.

“It seems everyone in Connecticut, except Beth Bye realized the taxpayers, families of college age children and students couldn’t afford the contract,” said Merritt. “It shouldn’t be that hard, we need to change our economic condition.”

Merritt is managing director of Relationship Strategies for Nationwide Financial, overseeing multi-product relationships for the financial institutions division serving banks, national broker-dealers and regional firms.

Merritt has extensive financial services experience in leadership, sales, relationship management and business development. He is currently on the BISA (Bank Insurance Securities Association) Leadership Advisory Board. Prior to joining Nationwide he was divisional sales manager, Relationship Management Group with Prudential Annuities (formerly American Skandia). Before Prudential, he spent five years with The Hartford in various sales positions, including relationship manager.

Mark and his wife, Michalee, have three children – Hannah, Benjamin and Adam. He is active in his community as a finance committee board member of Emanuel Synagogue. Mark has been a volunteer coach with the West Hartford Little League since 2009 and is a member of the West Hartford Republican Town Committee.