About

Chief Deputy Senate Republican Leader Eric Berthel was elected to his fifth term representing the 32nd State Senatorial District in 2024.

The district includes the towns of Bethel, Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Middlebury, Oxford, Roxbury, Seymour, Southbury, Washington, Watertown, and Woodbury. Prior to his election to the state senate, Eric represented the 68th House District, serving Watertown, Oakville, and Woodbury.

He was reappointed to serve as the Republican ranking member on the legislature’s Banking, Education, and Executive & Legislative Nominations Committees and is co-chair of the Legislative Internship Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Committee and the legislature’s newly formed Select Committee on Special Education.

Eric was born in Brooklyn, New York, and has lived in Connecticut since 1976. He is a graduate of Pomperaug Regional High School in Southbury. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Manhattanville College and a master’s degree from the University of Bridgeport. He and his wife Krista have lived in Watertown since 1998 with their two sons, Matthew and Paul.

Eric’s entire working career has been focused on healthcare communications, public relations, marketing, and business development. He and his wife also owned a small retail business in Watertown. He presently works for Post University.

He is an active member of the Watertown Republican Town Committee.

Eric served for two terms on the Board of Directors of the Hartford Healthcare Federal Credit Union as the Board Treasurer.

He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Water-Oak Crimestoppers since 2018.

In 2018, the Waterbury Regional Chamber presented Eric with its Legislator of the Year award in honor of his pro-business advocacy at the State Capitol. In 2022, the Credit Union League of Connecticut also presented him with its Legislator of the Year award in recognition of his many years of support of Connecticut credit unions. In 2023, he was recognized by AARP as a Consumer Champion.

Eric has also been recognized as a champion for Connecticut businesses by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association in 2022, 2023, and 2024, when it recognized him for a 100 percent pro-business voting record throughout the respective legislative sessions. He has been recognized by the Connecticut Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) for his advocacy in support of law enforcement. The NFIB and CT Realtors have also recognized him for his work on protecting Connecticut’s economy.

In addition, Eric was selected in 2022 for the distinguished Council of State Governments Henry Toll Fellowship Program as a Henry Toll Fellow. He was one of only 48 state government officials across the U.S. to participate in the program, which is the premier leadership development program for state leaders. Along with this legislative leadership, Eric was named the state chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in 2022.