PROUDLY SERVING THE 18TH DISTRICT
State Senator Heather Somers
Senior Deputy Republican Leader
Heather Somers, elected in 2016, represents Connecticut’s 18th district. She is a Chief Deputy Senate Republican Leader and serves as Ranking Member of the Public Health Committee and the Appropriations Committee. Heather has been recognized as a champion of important initiatives in health care, tourism, mental health, senior housing and elder care. She is also a former councilwoman and mayor in her native Groton.
"Together, we can bridge divides and build a brighter future for all Connecticut families."
State Rep. Greg Howard and I had a great visit with the team behind Tidal School this week, as they kicked off their very first week! We had the chance to sit down with its founders, hear more about the vision behind the school, and learn about the work they are doing to create a different approach to education.
Thank you for taking the time to meet with us and share what you’re building here in our community. If you’d like to learn more about Tidal School and what they offer, be sure to check them out!
I am proud to have been recognized by CBIA as an Affordability Champion for the 2026 legislative session.
Affordability remains the biggest challenge facing Connecticut families and businesses. Through my tenure, I’ve focused on supporting policies that lower costs, strengthen our economy, and make Connecticut a more affordable place to live.
I’m grateful for this recognition and for the opportunity to continue advocating for the residents and businesses of the 18th district!
Tonight, there really are no words.
My heart is broken for Torren O’Grady, for his family, for his friends and classmates, and for the entire North Stonington community.
A child left home to go to school and should have come home again.
Torren should have had years and years ahead of him—more birthdays, more lacrosse games, more bike rides, more laughter around the dinner table, more ordinary days that we sometimes forget are actually the most precious days of all.
Instead, tonight there is an empty place in a family that can never truly be filled.
So tonight, please leave a light on for Torren.
If you have a lacrosse stick, put it outside. If you don’t, just turn on your porch light.
Let North Stonington glow tonight.
Let every light say to Torren’s family: We see you. We are grieving with you. We are holding you in our hearts. And you will not walk through this alone.
I’ve had the privilege of representing North Stonington for many years, and I know the heart of this small town. When one family hurts, this community hurts with them. And when the unimaginable happens, we surround one another and help carry what is simply too heavy for one family to carry alone.
To Torren’s parents and family, I hope someday you can find some small measure of comfort in knowing how many people are speaking his name tonight, how many hearts are aching for you, and how many lights are shining because your little boy mattered.
Tonight, hug your children a little longer.
Say the things we sometimes think we’ll have plenty of time to say.
And before you go to bed, look outside at all those lights.
One is for Torren.
May God hold this beautiful child close, and may He give strength to his family and to an entire community trying to find its way through an unimaginable loss.
Tonight, our lights stay on for Torren. 💙