For the first time in Nardello's many years in politics she is facing something new on the campaign trail - a Democratic primary on Aug. 14

Vickie Nardello, Democratic candidate for State Senator in the 16th State Senate District (Cheshire, Prospect, Southington, Waterbury, Wolcott).

CHESHIRE—Whenever I have talked politics with Democrat Vickie Nardello, it usually takes less than 30 seconds to get a sense of her passion, determination and desire to help people as a public servant.

The priceless value she places on her one-on-one connection with people as she knocks on doors or interacts with them in a public setting like a local restaurant or grocery store certainly feeds that passion as she listens to their concerns and needs.

Nardello worked hard for her constituents as a State Representative in the 89th District (Cheshire, Bethany, Prospect) from 1995-2012. But as she campaigns as a State Senator for the 16th State Senate District (Cheshire, Prospect, Southington, Waterbury, Wolcott), despite her 18 years as a State Representative, she is facing something new on the campaign trail – a Democratic primary on Tuesday (Aug. 14).

Nardello, a Prospect resident, will face Democratic endorsed candidate Dagmara Scalise of Southington in the primary.

“As a State Representative, I never had to go through the primary process, so this is a first for me,” Nardello said. “It’s going very well and it’s been quite exciting and wonderful. It’s another phase of the campaign process. You are doing all the important things you need to do when you are campaigning, like knocking on doors and listening to people and their concerns.
“The positive aspect of going through a primary is you are actually going through an election in preparation for the next election on Election Day (Nov. 6). After the primary, you can actually assess what worked and didn’t work during the primary campaign and use that information for the next phase of the campaign.”

Nardello has always looked forward to the opportunity of knocking on doors. Every day she has been in some town on some street within the 16th District ringing doorbells or knocking on doors.

“I have knocked on 100s of doors, talked to people and emphasized why I am the candidate who can win,” Nardello said. “I have experience in government and I can work across the aisle to get things done.
“Door knocking always is a big part of the campaign. It establishes a relationship at the door with people, and once you do that, they are more apt to call you. That relationship at the door many times is taken to another level. They feel comfortable making a follow-up call so they can be heard even more. That connection makes you a better, more effective politician.”

​Nardello served nine terms as the State Representative in the 89th District and served on the Public Health Committee, the Insurance Committee and was the co-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee.

Nardello said she will keep on knocking on doors each day leading up to the primary. On Saturday (Aug. 11), she will be hosting a Get Out The Vote rally open to the public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at her headquarters in Southington at 714 West St.

What is Nardello hearing on the campaign trail these days?

“People want elected officials to work together and they’re tired of the gridlock,” Nardello said. “People are concerned with healthcare, the budget process and they are concerned with quality education. And sometimes, I sense some people are discouraged with what is going on at the national level.
“My job is to inspire people and have them believe in the process. They can’t be discouraged.”

More information on Nardello can be found at her campaign Facebook page at www.facebook.com/VickieNardelloSenate/.