nothin New Haven Independent | John Prins Seeks Reed’s State Rep Seat

John Prins Seeks Reed’s State Rep Seat

With Permission

John Prins, a longtime Branford Board of Education (BOE) member, has tossed his hat into the ring for the State Representative’s seat now held by Lonnie Reed, who is not seeking a sixth term in office.

Prins, who is well-versed in state education law and has made many trips to the legislature on behalf of the school system over the years, plans to address the Democratic Town Committee (DTC) next week. He filed his papers before the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) Tuesday and was ready to announce his plans to the DTC Tuesday evening but the meeting was cancelled when storms ripped through the area.

It could be busy political season since Prins, who has been a member of the DTC for 25 years, is the third candidate on the Democratic line seeking the state rep-resentative spot. Robin Comey, a member of the town’s Representative Town Meeting, announced her intention to run for Reed’s seat last week. Comey is currently the executive director of the Branford Early Childhood Collaborative (BECC).

A third candidate seeking Reed’s seat is Adrian H. Bonenberger, a former infantry officer deployed twice to Afghanistan. He is also running on the Democratic ticket for Reed’s seat. Bonenberger, 40, works in the communications office at the Yale Medical School. This is his first run for political office.

The DTC will select its candidates for state representative and state senate May 29. Connecticut’s primaries take place Aug. 14.

On the Republican side, Bob Imperato, a member of the town’s Board of Finance and a former member of the Representative Town Meeting, is formally announced his candidacy today. The Republican caucus will be held Tuesday evening. 

Reasons for Running

I’m really excited about this,” Prins told the Eagle. I think it is a good next step in my public service.”
Prins, 66, has served on the BOE for 19 years, and has been an associate di-rector of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education. He is the founder of the Connecticut Alliance for Arts Education, a non-profit entity to promote the arts.

I think the perspective I’ve brought to my service on the Board of Ed can serve the General Assembly well,” Prins said. I’ve been told I’m a divergent thinker,” who’s able to bring new ideas to the table.

Prins is currently an independent consultant at Prins Associates, where he deals with organizational development issues and strategic planning.

Educational issues will continue to be important to Prins. I think there are very fundamental things we can do to improve opportunities for our children and ultimately for our state.”

Prins previously worked as a director of human resources at the Clifford Beers Clinic in New Haven. He is a former manager of labor relations at Yale University, and former labor relations officer for the New Haven Housing Authority.

Prins was inducted into the Branford Education Hall of Fame in 2012. He and his wife Ruth have two sons.

Reed, who has served for 10 years and is currently the chair of the Energy & Technology Committee, recently announced she would retire from the Assembly. Her treasurer, Anthony Giardiello, a former majority leader of the RTM and Reed’s campaign treasurer for many years, will serve as Comey’s treasurer.

State Rep. Sean Scanlon, who represents Guilford and two sections of Branford, told the Eagle in an interview that he will support the candidate endorsed by the Branford DTC.

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