Democrats held an event to honor the service of former New Britain State Representative Peter Tercyak (D-26), who announced a year ago that he was retiring at the end of his term, after serving the city in the state House of Representatives for almost twenty-two years.
The event, last Thursday, was to benefit the campaign of Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25) in his run for Mayor of New Britain in this year’s city elections.
Photo by Dr Frank Gerratana.
The crowded event was held at the Crystal Ballroom on Farmington Avenue.
Those in attendance included Gov Ned Lamont (D), Lt Gov Susan Bysiewicz (D), other current and past political leaders in the city and state, other dignitaries and union and political activists and organizers.
Photo by Dr Frank Gerratana.
A psychiatric nurse, Tercyak’s official biography said that he,
was first involved in health care through volunteering at the Veterans’ Hospital in Newington. With degrees from UConn and Capital Community College, he became a registered nurse and almost 30-year career has cared for thousands of patients with psychiatric and substance abuse problems. Now, he does home care nursing.
Photo by Dr Frank Gerratana.
Long before serving as an elected official, himself, Tercyak was well known as a union and political organizer and activist. He was, “Raised with a strong belief in the importance of activism and community service,” his official biography said.
Tercyak was a union organizer and executive board member of New England Health Care Workers Union, District 1199.
Tercyak’s biography discussed his extensive work in political organizing, saying that he, “worked on his father’s campaigns for the 26th House District, elections for the New Britain Board of Education, governor and many others.”
Photo by Dr Frank Gerratana.
Peter Tercyak’s father, Rep Anthony J Tercyak, was a much beloved teacher and New Britain state legislator. While a Republican, the elder Tercyak was considered to be more progressive than many Democratic legislators and frequently voted with Democratic members of the state House of Representatives on important issues.
Peter Tercyak has said his father was, “the last really liberal pro labor Republican in New England.” Peter Tercyak said his father asked him before he passed away to run for his seat. Dr Anthony Tercyak represented the district from 1994 to 2003 and was the first Republican to be elected to the to the state House of Representatives from New Britain.
Photo by Dr Frank Gerratana.
When his father passed away in 2003, Peter Tercyak stepped forward to serve in the seat his father had held. In a three-way special election, Tercyak was elected. But he said that he remembers that running was, not easy, at first. He said that, “it was ugly when I started the elections. I wasn’t everybody’s favorite person, but I was (the) favorite person for more people than the others.”
Photo by Dr Frank Gerratana.
Tercyak has said that he sees the legacy of his more than two decades of service as a legislator as supporting workers’ rights, wages and benefits, saying, “I’m particularly proud of stuff I’ve been able to do for workers’ rights. [I’m proud to have] started a retirement plan for workers who don’t have one. I’m proud we’ve really increased protections for workers [and] we’ve raised [the] minimum wage.” Tercyak recounted how he battled with Republicans and won increases in the minimum wage, and how the fight is over for the minimum wage to keep up with inflation, as minimum wages go up automatically.
Photo by Dr Frank Gerratana.
Rep Tercyak has also said he is proud of graduating from Capital Community College and working as a nurse while representing his district. His nursing background influenced him to fight for improving healthcare in Connecticut and for promoting women’s rights.
“I fought forever and sometimes, then, listened to on things about healthcare, access and cost,” Tercyak said, adding that, “I’m particularly proud of standing up for women’s rights.”
