Senator Catherine A. Cloutier (R-Heatherbrooke) announces that she is seeking re-election to the Delaware Senate representing the 5th District in Brandywine Hundred.

Cloutier was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1998 after the death of her husband, the late Rep. Phil Cloutier. She was elected to the Senate in 2000 and 2002. Cloutier is the only legislator from Brandywine Hundred who serves on the powerful Joint Finance Committee (JFC) which writes the state budget.

Sen. Cloutier is the first legislator to call for action to help offset the impact of electric rate increases on consumers. Sen. Cloutier was also a key proponent of the successful effort to bring electric industry competition to Delaware and ongoing efforts to promote energy efficiency and conservation.

With a commitment to protecting our children, Sen. Cloutier sponsored Jessica's Law, which mandates a mandatory penalty of at least 25 years for any sex offender convicted of a serious felony against one of our children less than 14 years old.

"Predators should beware," Sen. Cloutier said. "Do not come to Delaware."

Senator Cloutier was the leader of the fight against legislators getting extra pay raises beyond regular state employees and outside the normal budget process.

During the first month of this legislative term, she sponsored legislation to reject legislators' 9% salary increases from the Compensation Commission which took effect automatically without requiring a vote by the legislature. This year she made the motion in the JFC to remove an additional 5.5% raise for legislators from this year's budget bill. She has a Bill currently before the Senate to remove legislators from the Delaware Compensation Commission process to end those automatic raises and require a direct vote by legislators to approve their own salaries.

"It has been a real honor and privilege to represent my neighbors in the Senate and I look forward to continuing to work together on issues that matter to the people in our community,' Sen. Cloutier said.

"As a single parent of three children, I understand first-hand the sacrifices and challenges that families face. Raising 3 children who attend public schools, I am an advocate for giving all our children—especially those with special needs—the best possible education."

"I want to use my experience representing our community in Dover to continue to address the serious issues facing families in our changing society. I have a vision for the future of far more open government, more affordable healthcare, and progress in the three 'E's of public policy--education, energy and the environment."

"At the local level, I will continue to advocate for the Claymont Renaissance, the Ardens and northern Brandywine Hundred while serving in the General Assembly."

Sen. Cloutier has also offered common sense solutions to high gasoline prices and U.S. dependence on foreign oil by sponsoring legislation establishing an Ethanol Task Force to hold public hearings beginning our move toward the development of alternative energy.

Sen. Cloutier has made herself accessible to constituents through her coffee and conversations at Sweeney's Bakery on Naamans Road every Wednesday morning at 8:30.

Legislation Cloutier has sponsored during this term includes a law passed to protect "whistle-blowers" and Bills to protect the privacy of personal information by taking social security numbers off insurance cards, and making it illegal for tax return preparers to sell information about their clients.

This year has also been personally rewarding for Cloutier. She was honored as the Senator of the year by the Delaware Bar Association which awarded her the 2006 Distinguished Legislative Service Award. And, she has been nominated for 2007 Mother of the Year by the Delaware Chapter of American Mothers.

Most recently, Senator Cloutier's record of support for working families and free enterprise has earned her the endorsement of a diverse range of organizations from the AFL-CIO to the Associated Builders & Contractors.

Cloutier, 56, a former district marketing manager and consultant, is now a full-time legislator and Mom to 3 school-aged children.