By Brianna Wallen
News Editor
On Feb 17, the College Democrats hosted a conversation with Eli Sabin, the former Ward 7 New Haven alder and current candidate for the Connecticut House in District 92.
This created an opportunity for students to listen and ask questions about local and state government with an active representative from their community.
“I think young people bring different perspectives,” Sabin said. “If you want to get anything done you need to build trust and learn how to make an impact.”
Sabin is in his third year at Yale Law School. He grew up in New Haven and spent his early career in community activism. Now, early into his new campaign, he hopes to replace incumbent Patricia Dillion, who has represented the district since 1985.
While Sabin admits that he and Dillion would likely vote similarly on many issues, he stressed that perspective change is necessary.
“I think that the work that I’ve done on the board of alders and as an advocate at Connecticut Voice for Children has really prepared me to do the work of bringing people together and bringing new ideas into the process,” Sabin said.
During the event, he focused on highlighting key issues and his plan of action should he be elected. One of the major issues Sabin touched on was Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“I think there’s a lot more the state can do to protect our residents, and I want to make sure that the state is really stepping up to provide a backstop for our community,” Sabin said.
Voters are showing concern about the Trump administration’s intentions to expand ICE enforcement. It will be a key issue in the upcoming midterm elections.
Sabin plans to combat expansion by creating a fund to go towards lawyers for families impacted as well as pushing to ban agents from wearing masks and refusing identification.
Sabin encouraged those who are looking to get involved with their local political community by stating that it gave him purpose.
“It gave me purpose I’ve mostly felt like school and being involved in the community can add to each other. And you know, you learn so much working in the community,” Sabin said.
Sabin was on the board of alders starting in college and has been engaged in public service work since.
Being in office as a young person was another major topic discussed. The consensus was that those who wish to get involved should reach out to their local communities.
“Show up and talk to the people around you. Politics impacts everything in life. You can meet someone and hear about their problems, and there is a way to fix it with policy. It affects our day-to-day lives,” political science major Cynthia Sanchez, a junior, said.
Political science major Carlos Agüero Echavarria, a junior and the vice president of the College Democrats, shared a similar sentiment.
“Eli Saban really showed today that we need candidates that are driven, young and new. I think it is great to see new and exciting young, motivated people,” Agüero Echavarria, said. “I hope to see more of that throughout Connecticut and nationally.”
The event and its sponsors encouraged students to become active in their communities and to stay informed.
“I think it is so important to be involved in local politics; it means so much to know and understand how politics work. It is in every aspect of our lives, especially locally,” Agüero Echavarria said.
