Eric Berthel State Senate
VOTE NOV. 3

Meet Eric Berthel...​​

Chief Deputy Senate Republican Leader Eric Berthel was first elected to represent the 32nd State Senatorial District in a special election on Feb. 28, 2017, after having been first elected to the State House in 2014 and 2016.

 

The 32nd district includes the towns of Bethel, Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Middlebury, Oxford, Roxbury, Seymour, Southbury, Washington, Watertown and Woodbury. He was re-elected by the people of the 32nd District in 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024 to serve a fifth term.

Senator Berthel was reappointed to serve as the Republican ranking member on the legislature’s Banking, Education and Executive Nominations Committees. He is co-chair of the Internship Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Committee and the Select Committee on Special Education.

 

He is a fierce advocate for public school education on all levels - student outcomes, teacher recruitment, funding and curriculum. He is also outspoken about parental choice in education, including support of families who chose to homeschool their children. 

Eric was born in Brooklyn, New York and has lived in Connecticut since 1976. He is a graduate of Pomperaug Regional High School in Southbury, holds a Bachelor’s degree from Manhattanville University and Master’s degree from the University of Bridgeport. He and his wife Krista have lived in Watertown since 1998 with their two sons.

 

IN SERVICE TO OTHERS

Prior to his election to the legislature, he was elected to the Watertown Public Schools Board of Education where he served as Board Secretary, Vice Chairman and Interim Chairman. In addition to the regular work of the Board, he participated in all the Board subcommittees and served as a chair of four of those subcommittees. He was also the Board liaison for three of five schools in the district. In 2013, he was appointed to the special subcommittee for the evaluation of the Superintendent and in 2014 to the special subcommittee for the search for the new Superintendent.

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In 2013, he was elected as a Committeeman to the Republican State Central Committee representing the 32nd District. 

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In 2013, former State Senator Rob Kane (R-32) appointed Eric to the Council on Medical Assistance Program Oversight, Connecticut General Assembly.

Eric’s entire working career has been focused on healthcare communications, government affairs, public relations, marketing and business development. He and his wife also owned a small retail business in Watertown. He presently works for Post University.
 

In 2023, he was elected to the Board of Directors of CECU (Career Education Colleges and Universites).

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He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Water-Oak Crimestoppers since 2018.

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From 2016 to 2018, he served as the Unit Commander for the Brass City Unit of the Young Marines Youth Organization.

 

From 2010 - 2014, he served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Hartford Healthcare Federal Credit Union and as the Board Treasurer.
 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

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In 2025, Eric received the President's Award from Connecticut Foodshare for his advocacy in advancing and passing financial support for Connecticut local food banks and pantries.

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Eric’s advocacy for Connecticut business was recognized by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association in 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022 when they named him an Affordability Champion for a 100% pro-business voting record in their Legislative Session Reports.

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In 2023 he was honored as the 2023 Legislator of the Year by the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home for his strong advocacy to pass legislation that eliminates Medicaid rate differentials between adult and pediatric complex care nursing patients, ensuring patients receive the same care and they transition to adulthood.
 

In 2022, the Credit Union League of Connecticut presented him with its Legislator of the Year award in recognition of his many years of support of Connecticut credit unions.

 

In 2022 Eric was selected to the distinguished Council of State Governments, Henry Toll Fellowship Program, as a Henry Toll Fellow. He was one of only 48 state government officials from across the U.S. to participate in the program, which is the premier leadership development program for state leaders

In 2018, the Waterbury Regional Chamber presented him with its Legislator of the Year award in honor of his pro-business advocacy at the State Capitol.

Along with this legislative leadership, In 2022 Eric was elected as the Connecticut state chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).