Dorothy “Dottie” Lerner, a vocational counseling expert specializing in serving people with disabilities, is seeking the Democratic endorsement to run for the State Assembly seat in the 122nd District.

The Stratford resident vowed to “fight for the issues and concerns affecting all people in our district, bringing fresh ideas and strategies and giving Democrats a voice in state government – too long silenced in our district.”

Lerner said she was especially interested in working toward a broader approach to public safety. “Public safety is a complex issue which, if broken down, includes police, and fire, and EMT services, and mental health services, educational services, and protections and services for all vulnerable populations – particularly for the elderly and for people with all types of disability. A community is judged by how it treats and provides for its most vulnerable citizens,” she said.

The Democrat said that at age 9, her exceptional public-school education inspired her to learn about the democratic principles of the Founding Fathers.

“I proudly became a life-long active Democrat, taking my democratic values and principles to Connecticut, where I have lived for the past 40 years. I have applied them to every aspect of my life, both personal and professional.”

Lerner has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queens College and spent two years as a teacher in the New York City school system. After many years of raising, advocating, and fighting for her son with classic autism, she returned to school at Southern Connecticut State University and obtained a master’s degree in social work.

She said her MSW degree, together with a 15- year vocational counseling and direct services career in non-profit agencies, enabled her to become a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the State of Connecticut.

Lerner has long been interested in government; she ran for the Board of Education in Milford, served on the Milford Human Resources Committee, served as a poll worker in Stratford, and she is an active member of the Stratford Democratic Town Committee. She also has been a volunteer for Friends of Autistic People and other autism advocacy groups.

She said her fresh approach to politics and government would be an asset.

“I want voters to know that I am actively listening to every voter need and concern, without regard to a person’s background,” she said. “My parents taught me: ‘Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.’ This advice will be the cornerstone of my campaign and term in office, should the 122nd District voters choose to elect me.”