PROUDLY SERVING THE 16TH DISTRICT
State Senator Rob Sampson
Senior Deputy Republican Leader
Rob Sampson, re-elected to a fourth term in 2024, represents Connecticut’s 16th District. He is the Ranking Member on the Government Administration & Elections Committee, the Housing Committee, and the Labor & Public Employees Committee. Rob is widely known as an advocate for America’s core principles, restoring our system of limited, representative, constitutional government, protecting private contracts and defending the natural rights of his constituents.
“I am honored to be chosen by the people of the 16th District as their voice at the State Capitol. I remain committed to defending our American principles of freedom, representation, limited constitutional self-government, and the rule of law. I believe that with hard work and our collective voices, Connecticut can become a safer and more affordable state with a bright future for all. As always, I will put in the hard work to make it happen.”
LATEST COLUMN
Special Session, Same Old Trick: Hide the Ball, Pass the Bill (December 2025)
What Connecticut witnessed during the November special legislative session was not governance. It certainly wasn’t leadership. It was the raw exercise of political power by a majority so comfortable and so dismissive of basic procedural norms that they no longer bother pretending otherwise.
Dear Friends & Neighbors,
I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. I hope you are able to share this time with loved ones in good health and happiness. The freedom and liberty that we all share as Americans are some of the greatest gifts that we can celebrate during this time and throughout the year.
I am also thankful for the many great members of our community, the friends I have made while in public service, and especially the brave men and women of our armed forces. Many of these heroes are on active duty and will not be home for the holidays to celebrate with their own families. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you need assistance throughout the holiday season and in 2026--I am here to work for you.
My best wishes to you and your family for a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year! May God continue to bless us and our great nation.
Sincerely,
Senator Rob Sampson
FOLLOWING UP ON YESTERDAY'S NEWS AND RELEASE:
For Immediate Release
December 24, 2025
Sen. Stephen Harding, Sen. Rob Sampson and Sen. Jason Perillo issued the following statement regarding the unfolding New Opportunities of Waterbury Inc. nonprofit scandal involving the misuse of CT low-income energy assistance taxpayer dollars:
“What an absolutely disgraceful pre-Christmas scandal has emerged.
And it is also quite ironic.
Connecticut Democrats forever paint Republicans as cruel, uncaring and harming people in need.
Meanwhile, it’s Democrats here in Connecticut who are taking money out of vulnerable residents’ pockets to enrich their bureaucratic machine and their friends.
Years of one-party rule in Connecticut have bred arrogance and corruption. It’s now on full display.
We await word today on when Gov. Lamont’s budget team will conduct oversight meetings.
Those meetings must be public meetings. Those meetings must lead to public hearings and reforms.
We will be calling on the legislature’s Government Oversight Committee to schedule a public forum on this scandal. The people of Connecticut must be allowed to speak out, ask questions and suggest reforms.
Republicans are demanding transparency and accountability. Gov. Lamont and Democrats must demand it too.”
Waterbury nonprofit used LIHEAP funds to pay its expenses
ctmirror.org
CT officials moved to take control of New Opportunities Inc. after it bounced a $1.5M check and acknowledged using federal energy assistance to cover its costs.
For Immediate Release
December 23, 2025
Sen. Stephen Harding, Sen. Rob Sampson and Sen. Jason Perillo issued the following statement regarding Waterbury-based nonprofit agency New Opportunities Inc. acknowledging impermissibly using federal funds intended for low-income energy assistance to cover its operational expenses for the second time in the past decade.
www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/article/new-opportunities-ct-liheap-home-heating-help-21257374.php
“This is the latest in a long line of examples of what happens under one-party Democrat rule:
Accountability is ignored, taxpayer dollars are abused, scandals result, and struggling Connecticut families don’t get the help they need.
Republicans have repeatedly highlighted how Connecticut government’s ‘candy store’ is open.
Through the ‘candy store’, millions of taxpayers’ dollars get sent to nonprofits with little vetting and virtually no oversight.
Republican lawmakers have offered solutions to tighten oversight of public funding of the state’s nonprofits and close the ‘candy store’ permanently.
Now that this latest scandal has been brought to light, we urge majority Democrats and Gov. Lamont to join us in our reform efforts.
We do appreciate that DSS and OPM are serious about demanding accountability regarding this particular matter involving vital human services and heating assistance for vulnerable Connecticut residents.”
CT officials order oversight, audit of New Opportunities after misuse of funds
www.ctinsider.com
Eversource notified state officials last week that a $1.5 million check had bounced.