Profile Photo
Eric C. BerthelREPRepublican State Senator, District 32
57
Years of Age
13
Years of Experience
CTResidence (state)

Eric Berthel (born March 28, 1967) is an American politician and a Republican member of the Connecticut Senate, representing the 32nd District since 2017. Berthel has been the State Senator for the 32nd Senate District since 2017, representing part of the Naugatuck River Valley and Litchfield County in the Connecticut Senate, including the towns of Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Middlebury (part), Oxford, Roxbury, Seymour (part), Southbury, Washington, Watertown, and Woodbury.Berthel considered a run for the open congressional seat in Connecticut's 5th congressional district in 2018, but ultimately decided not to run, instead seeking reelection to the state Senate.In September 2020, Berthel's car was photographed with a window sticker supporting QAnon, a right-wing movement promoting baseless conspiracy theories. After the sticker came to attention on social media, Berthel initially defended the QAnon conspiracy theory by contending that it has "inspired more people to participate in policy and government." Later that month, Berthel apologized, saying, "My failure to look into the movement more deeply, which I take full responsibility for, led me to overlook the extreme views of the movement which I don’t subscribe to and find abhorrent. It was my lack of fully understanding this movement that led me to put these words on my car for which I deeply regret." Berthel's Democratic opponent Jeff Desmarais called Berthel's conduct "disqualifying" but Berthel nevertheless won a third term in the November 2020 election.Berthel has introduced legislation calling for the reintroduction of bear hunting in Connecticut.

Voterly's Issue Scores  (1 - 4 of 4)

Below lists the position this politician has taken on a political issue. The star rating represents the politician's prioritization and action on the issue based on data collected by relevant interest groups. Select an issue to view a more in-depth explanation of each rating.

Special Interest Group Ratings

Interest Groups That SUPPORT
Rating
Interest Groups That OPPOSE
Rating
Average Score

Disclaimer: A special interest group's positions on issues are gathered from various reputable sources including the organization's website, social media accounts, press releases, and other public communications. Special interest group politician ratings are provided by VoteSmart.org. Positions and ratings are subject to change and we may experience delays, interruptions, or errors, as a result. If you believe this information is inaccurate, please submit a problem report. Submit Report.

0 / 4
Education4 - 4 of 2
University of Bridgeport
MS Education
1990 - 1992
Manhattanville College
BA English
1985 - 1989
Past Positions1 - 19 of 19
Chief Deputy Republican Leader
Connecticut State Senate
2023 - Current
Deputy Republican Leader
Connecticut State Senate
2021 - 2023
Assistant Minority Leader
Connecticut State Senate
2019 - 2021
Senator
Connecticut State Senate
2017 - Current
Representative
Connecticut State House of Representatives
2014 - 2017
Vice Chairman
Board of Education, Watertown Public Schools
2011 - 2014
Former Majority Whip
Connecticut State Senate
Former Secretary
Watertown Board of Education
Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships
Post University
2018 - Current
Vice President
Strategic Outreach, Hartford Healthcare Federal Credit Union
2014 - 2018
Director
Corporate Communications and Marketing, Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN)
2012 - 2014
Manager
Internal Communications, Connecticut Childrens Medical Center
2008 - 2012
Communications Consultant
Self-Employed
2007 - 2008
Project Consultant
Masonicare
2007
Regional Director, Corporate Communications, Media and Government Relations
American Medical Response
2000 - 2007
Owner
Liqour Bazaar
2002 - 2006
Manager
Business Development, Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA)
1999 - 2000
Manager
Business Development, American Medical Response
1995 - 1999
Member
Board of Directors, Hartford Healthcare Federal Credit Union
Other Experience1 - 22 of 22
Member
Watertown/Oakville Crimestoppers Incorporated
2018 - Current
Unit Commander
Brass City, Young Marines
2016 - 2018
Member
Cercemaggiore Italian Community Club
2014 - Current
Committeeman
Republican State Central Committee
2013 - Current
Committeeman
Woodbury Republican Town Committee
2013 - Current
Member
Watertown Foundation
2013 - Current
Supporter
Mount Washington Observatory
2012 - Current
Board Liaison
Watertown Public Schools, Parent Teacher Organization
2011 - Current
Member
Council on Medical Assistance Program Oversight, Connecticut General Assembly
Senatorial Appointee
Medical Assistance Program Oversite, Connecticut General Assembly
2013 - Current
Former Member
Finance, Revenue and Bonding, Connecticut State House of Representatives
Former Member
Education Committee, Connecticut State House of Representatives
Former Member
Public Health Committee, Connecticut State House of Representatives
Former Member
Appropriations Committee, Connecticut State Senate
Former Member
Judiciary Committee, Connecticut State Senate
Former Member
Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs, Connecticut General Assembly
Former Member
Subcommittee on Conservation and Development, Connecticut State Senate
Former Member
Judicial and Corrections Subcommittee, Connecticut State Senate
Former Member
Human Services Committee, Connecticut General Assembly
Former Ranking Member
Human Services Committee, Connecticut General Assembly
Former Vice Chair
Insurance and Real Estate Committee, Connecticut State Senate
Former Vice Chair
Banks Committee, Connecticut State Senate