Kissel, John A.

Background

Kissel and Leonard Fasano were the only two Republican senators cross-endorsed by the Working Families Party in 2008, a reward for their votes in favor of mandatory sick days. The bill, which failed in 2008, was passed by the House in 2009 and died from inaction on the Senate calendar. His vote prompted a scathing column by a member of the Enfield Republican Town Commitee. The vote, incidentally, was not enough to get him the WFP's endorsement again in 2010.

Kissel also voted with the Democratic majority to extend workers compensation benefits, but he is not an across-the-board vote for labor. In 2008, he voted with the GOP minority to oppose a minimum wage increase.

On social issues, Kissel has had a mixed record. He voted to ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity, but he was one of only seven senators to oppose a bill that codifies in state law a court decision legalizing same-sex marriage. Kissel supported the legalization of medical marijuana and requiring hospitals to offer emergency contraceptives for rape victims.

With six prisons in his district, Kissel has made corrections policy one of his legiislative specialties. He voted against abolishing the death penalty.

In 2009, Kissel joined with local Democratic representatives to call for Connecticut to drop its ban on Sunday liquor sales. He said that merchants in his district on the Massachusetts line were losing sales across the border.

Kissel abstained from voting on a major energy bill in 2010, citing his employment at Northeast Utilities. Under ethics rules, Kissel could have voted on the measure, but said his employment gave the appearance of a conflict.

Personal: Kissel is married to Cynthia Kissel and is the father of two. They reside in Enfield. 

Financial Disclosure

 Kissel reported outside income from Northeast Utilities. His wife, Cynthia Kissel, was employed by Benedetto's Florist in 2009, although she now works for Brooks Brothers. They own their home in Enfield. Kissel owns a retirement fund and one mutual fund.He voluntarily disclosed debts of more than $10,000 to New Alliance Bank, 360 Federal Credit Union and CitiMastercard.A note on financial disclosure: Every spring, officials are required to disclose the ownership of real estate, the source of any income exceeding $1,000 in the previous calendar year and securities worth more than $5,000. They also are required to file an addendum in which they report any debt of more than $10,000; this may by law be kept confidential. 

Financial Disclosure Statement