District towns: Monroe, Newtown

Official web site

Sponsored bills

Election history: Hovey won an open seat in 2002, succeeding Republican Pat Shea.

2008 general election

Public financing: Each received $25,000 in public financing for their campaigns under the Citizens' Election Program. Each returned a surplus: Hovey, $5,401.77; Mount, $10.60

Background: Hovey is a transplant from Maine, where she served on the Freeport school board. Her official bio describes her as an accomplished equestrian. An education consultant, she is a member of the state Advisory Council on Special Education.

Committees: Appropriations, Children (ranking member), Judiciary

Education: B.S., M.S., M.Ed., University of Maine

Occupation: Special education consultant

2008 Financial Disclosure: Hovey reported consulting income. Her husband, Paul J. Balsano, is a Bridgeport firefighter. They own a home in Madison.

They own several mutual funds.

Hovey filed a confidential addendum listing any debts exceeding $10,000. She declined to release the addendum, as is her choice under the law.

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.