Contrast | Kim Becker for CT

Learn About Your Current Representative

Be Informed, then Vote Your Conscience November 5th

Affordability

Opposed the 2023 Electric Utility Overhaul

The “Strengthening Protections For Connecticut's Consumers Of Energy” Act (SB 7) was an extensive, bipartisan effort to bring predictability and transparency to the State’s rate payers by holding Eversource and United Illuminating more accountable through the public utilities regulatory commission and forcing them to keep separate lobbying budgets. Rep. Anderson voted No.

Received a 0% score from the AFL-CIO of Connecticut

In their most recent scorecard, the AFL-CIO gave Rep. Anderson a 0% for his 2023-24 term and a 20% lifetime score. In the most recent term he has voted against extending workers compensation for PTSD injuries, protecting the safety of home healthcare workers, and supporting wage increases for healthcare aides.

Voted Against Middle-Class Affordability Initiatives

According to EY (formerly, Ernst & Young) the bipartisan 2023 budget included tax cuts targeted at individual incomes below $50,000 ($100,000 married couples). This was the largest Connecticut tax cut ever. Rep. Anderson voted no. He also voted against creating a tier of low-cost bank accounts and fair rent commissions in towns larger than 14,000 people.

Ideology

Founded the CT Chapter of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies

The Connecticut Republican Assembly (CTRA) positions itself as “the Republican wing of the Republican Party.” They promote 13 Principles that closely align with those of the Christian Nationalism movement. In 2021 CTRA established the “Mark W. Anderson Leadership Award” in honor of their founder; Mr. Anderson received the award that year. The most recent recipient is Peter Wolfgang, Executive Director of the Family Institute of Connecticut, an anti-abortion organization with a long-standing relationship with CTRA and Mr. Anderson. Key guest speakers have included Kyle Reyes, Amy Bourdon, and Susan Regan.

One of 12 Assembly Votes Against the 2023 Bipartisan Two-Year Budget

In 2023 the Connecticut Legislature collaborated to pass a bipartisan two year budget with only one nay in the Senate and 12 in the Assembly. Rep. Anderson was a naysayer. The CT Mirror notes this compromise budget included the largest middle-class tax cut in Connecticut history, additional funding for local school systems, and child care funding. These are all top affordability issues in the 62nd District.

Identified as a “Far-Right” State Legislator by IREHR

The Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights (IREHR) published “Breaching the Mainstream: A National Survey of Far-Right Membership in State Legislatures” in May of 2022. This survey was based on named membership in a set of 789 Facebook groups meeting certain criteria distinguishing them as far-right. Rep. Anderson was noted to be a member of 10 such groups (link, then search “Anderson”). Across Connecticut, this report cited only 16 state legislators (8.56%) meeting such criteria.

Healthcare & Public Wellness

Voted Against Expanding School Mental Health Services

In the pandemic year of 2021, state legislators were rightly concerned about the potential impact on student mental wellness. Multiple bills were raised such as school-based mental health clinics (HB 6509), equitable healthcare access (SB 0001), and youth suicide prevention funding (SB 0002).
In each of these cases, Rep. Anderson voted no (link, link,
and link, respectively). For the House bill, he was one of only
4 nay votes.

Consistent Opposition to Reproductive Healthcare Access

The Family Institute of CT (FIC) endorsed Rep. Anderson in 2022 and he had a 100% Legislative Score from the same organization in 2022. After
the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the FIC doesn’t seem to have made 2024 endorsements, instead updating their 2022 scorecard with 2024 voting information. Rep. Anderson’s votes continue to be strongly aligned to the FIC agenda (e.g., HB 5414, HB 6820, and SB 1108, 3).
Further, FIC Executive Director Peter Wolfgang received the Mark W. Anderson Award from
the Connecticut Republican Assembly.

Receives a Grade of “F” from CT Against Gun Violence (CAGV) in 2024

While responsible gun ownership and use is part of the culture of the 62nd District, gun violence is not. The CAGV has given Rep. Anderson a failing grade in both 2023 and 2024 (note: search “Anderson” in the “House” table). Rep. Anderson voted no on Public Act No. 23-53 (“An Act Addressing Gun Violence”) and red flag laws (text and vote). Rep. Anderson does carry an “A” Grade from the NRA Political Victory Fund with an endorsement and received political donations from them (enter "Mark Anderson" into the candidate search field).

Civil Rights

The Single Vote Against the 2021 Connecticut
Parentage Act

The Parentage Act (HB 6321) allows for equal treatment under the law for children of same sex couples. The CT Mirror report at the time explained the circumstances of this need and that Connecticut was lagging the national standards in this regard. Rep. Anderson was the only No vote in the entirety of the Connecticut legislature, either Assembly or Senate. Rep. Anderson also was one of 17 voting against modernizing language in Connecticut’s anti-discrimination statutes.

Opposes Early Voting and No Excuse Absentee Voting

Up to 2024, Connecticut had been only one of four states that did not have access to early voting, creating challenges for citizens with unaligned work shifts and unexpected circumstances. Rep. Anderson voted No. Further, Rep. Anderson opposed HJ 0001 which moved forward a Connecticut Constitutional Amendment to allow No-Excuse Absentee voting. Two footnotes: No-Excuse Absentee Voting is on the ballot this Fall and Rep. Anderson cast his vote
in Granby on the first day of early voting.

Voted to Withhold Legal Representation from
People Facing Eviction

In face of the pandemic, in 2021 Connecticut extended the right to counsel to eviction cases over the No vote of Rep. Anderson. A year after implementation an independent advisory firm found that this program likely saved the state millions of dollars.

The Environment

Received a D- Grade from the CT League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV)

Although he sits on the Joint Environment Committee, Rep. Anderson received environmental scores of 67% in 2021, 50% in 2022, 62% in 2023, and 56% in 2024 from CTLCV, averaging to 59% over his four years in office.

Opposed Key Legislation on Climate Change

Rep. Anderson issued No votes in either the Assembly or the Joint Environment Committee regarding: Community Resilience to Climate Change, Reduction in State Greenhouse Emissions, Environmental Considerations for New School Construction, and Transitioning to Greener Energy Sources.

Sponsored Legislation to Revise the CT Climate Change Curriculum

In 2019, Connecticut passed a law requiring climate change to be taught in public schools according to the Next Generation Science Standards. Rep. Anderson introduced a bill “to add a requirement that students are exposed to the debate and research concerning the amount and effects of anthropomorphic carbon dioxide levels.”
This would have overridden
the peer-reviewed and published standard.