Editor's Note: Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.
BERLIN, CT — The 2026 election is heating up in Connecticut, and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.
Eyes are primarily focused on the Connecticut gubernatorial election, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs. All five of Connecticut's congressional seats are up for grabs as well.
There are 151 seats in the state House of Representatives and 36 in the state Senate.
Democrats currently hold majorities in both chambers.
Berlin Democrat Linda Pierce is challenging state Rep. Donna Veach, D-Berlin, for the 30th State House District seat.
The 30th State House Seat is composed of parts of Berlin and Southington.
Candidate's Name:
Linda Pierce
What office are you seeking?
Connecticut State Representative for the 30th House District
Age:
56
District:
30th House
Party:
Democrat
Campaign website:
https://LindaPierceCT.com
Occupation:
Director at Connecticut Forest & Park Association
Family:
My family is the heart of my life. My husband, Joe, and I share our home with our much-loved rescue dogs, Sadie and Rosie, and our two rescue cats.
I'm also fortunate to be part of a wonderful extended family, including my stepchildren, who are Southington High School graduates. Our home is usually full of fur, a little chaos, plenty of laughter, and a lot of love.
Does anyone in your family work in government?
No. I'm the first person in my family to seek elected office. My family has always believed in working hard, helping others, and being involved in our community, but politics and government have never been a family profession. My decision to run for State Representative grew out of my own experiences in education, nonprofit work, and serving people in my community.
Previous public office:
None
Why are you seeking this office?
I'm seeking office because I believe people deserve a state representative who listens, shows up, and works hard for them. I've spent my career as a teacher and nonprofit professional helping people and strengthening communities, and public service feels like a natural extension of that work.
I'm especially concerned about the rising cost of living—from property taxes and electricity to healthcare and housing—and I want to make sure Berlin and Southington have a strong voice at the Capitol.
Most importantly, I'm running because I care deeply about this community and believe I can make a meaningful difference for the people who call it home.
What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?
The No. 1 issue facing Connecticut is our cost of living. Too many working families, seniors, and young people are being squeezed by high property taxes, electric bills, housing costs, health care, and everyday expenses.
I want the state to do more to take pressure off local property taxpayers by investing more state dollars in education and municipal services, while also tackling our high energy costs and expanding access to affordable housing and healthcare.
Connecticut is a great place to live, but people shouldn't have to wonder whether they can afford to stay here.
Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?
Electric bills in Connecticut are simply too high. I want stronger oversight of the utility companies and more accountability for what they charge us.
I'll also work to get unnecessary costs off our electric bills and make sure we're investing in reliable, affordable energy for the long term.
Families shouldn't have to choose between paying the electric bill and paying for groceries.
Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?
Affordability is the issue I hear about most when I'm talking to people at their doors.
We can't control every price from Hartford, but we can absolutely do more about the costs the state can influence.
For me, that starts with property taxes and electricity.
I want the state to send more education and municipal funding back to communities like Berlin and Southington so less of the burden falls on local property taxpayers.
Connecticut's 2027 budget significantly increased aid to schools and municipalities, and I want to make sure our communities get their fair share.
I also want stronger oversight of utility companies and continued efforts to get costs off electric bills.
And we need to address housing and health care costs, because those are taking bigger and bigger bites out of family budgets.
My focus is pretty simple: look at where state government can actually lower costs, fight for our share of state funding, and put more money back into people's pockets.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I've spent my career doing work that requires many of the same skills I would bring to the legislature.
I spent 20 years as an educator, where I learned to listen, communicate clearly, solve problems, and work with people from very different backgrounds.
Later, I worked directly with low-income seniors trying to remain safely in their homes and with survivors of domestic violence.
Today, as Development Director for the Connecticut Forest & Park Association, I bring people, organizations and resources together to support conservation, education and outdoor recreation across Connecticut.
I've managed budgets, raised significant funding, built partnerships, and worked with communities throughout the state. I know how to listen, build relationships, find resources and GET THINGS DONE. Those are exactly the skills I would bring to representing Berlin and Southington at the Capitol.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I want voters to know that I'm not running because I've always wanted to be a politician. I'm running because I care deeply about my community and believe public service should be about listening to people and getting things done.
I won't agree with every voter on every issue, and I don't expect them to agree with me. But I will listen, be accessible, do my homework, and always be honest about where I stand.
Whether you're a Democrat, Republican, independent, or don't think much about politics at all, if I'm elected, I work for you.
At the end of the day, my priorities are pretty simple: make Connecticut more affordable, protect the rights and freedoms of the people who live here, support strong public schools and communities, and make sure Berlin and Southington get the attention and resources they deserve from the state.
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