Candidate Profile: Aaron Zimmer, 30th State Senate District

BROOKFIELD, CT — Aaron Zimmer, a Democrat, is running for Connecticut's 30th State Senate District in the Nov. 3 general election.

Zimmer is challenging incumbent Republican state Sen. Stephen Harding for the seat, which represents 18 towns in western and northwestern Connecticut, including part of Brookfield.

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Patch asked candidates running in the 2026 election to answer questions about their backgrounds, priorities and positions on issues affecting Connecticut residents.

Here are Zimmer's responses to Patch's candidate questionnaire:

Candidate's Name:

Aaron Zimmer

What office are you seeking?

State Senate

Age:

47

District:

30th

Party:

Democrat

Campaign website:

https://www.zimmerforct.com

Occupation:

Small business owner

Family:

Wife and young daughter.

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No

Previous public office:

I am a member of Brookfield's Ad Hoc Police Building Committee.

Why are you seeking this office?

I'm running because I'm not satisfied with the status quo, including within my own party. Too many people are working hard and still falling behind. Democrats need to do more than acknowledge that frustration. We need to deliver changes people can feel in their daily lives.

Government should work as hard as the people it serves. I'm seeking this office to push for bolder solutions, challenge my own party when it falls short, and make sure working people's needs come first.

Standing up to Donald Trump matters, and we deserve a state senator who is willing to do that. But so does giving people something to vote for here in Connecticut: a fairer, more affordable state where hard work gives you a real chance to get ahead.

What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?

Affordability. Too many people cannot afford to live comfortably in the communities where they work, raise their families, or have spent their entire lives. Property taxes, housing, energy, and healthcare costs are crushing working people.

I'll work to reduce our reliance on property taxes by increasing state funding for education, especially special education. I'll fight to expand access to affordable healthcare, hold utilities accountable, and support more housing where infrastructure can sustain it.

Paying for these priorities requires a fairer tax system. Working people should not shoulder so much of the burden while those doing exceptionally well in this economy can afford to contribute more. My goal is pretty straightforward: lower the costs families face without cutting the schools and services they depend on.

Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?

We need to address both the charges on our bills and the underlying cost of delivering electricity.

I support moving the cost of low-income assistance from electric bills into the state budget. Helping struggling families is a shared responsibility, and funding it through a fairer tax system would reduce the burden on people already struggling to pay their own bills.

I'll also fight for stronger utility accountability, including scrutiny of executive compensation, profits, and costs passed on to customers. Ratepayers should pay for reliable service and necessary improvements, with clear evidence that those expenses are justified.

For lasting relief, I support expanding energy efficiency, bringing more clean energy onto the grid, and exploring municipal and public power options. Connecticut families and businesses deserve affordable, reliable electricity and a stronger voice in how it is provided.

Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?

Affordability runs through all of my answers for a reason: people need relief. My proposals on property taxes, energy, healthcare, and housing all serve that same goal.

But affordability also means addressing costs that don't always get top billing. Expanding access to affordable childcare would help parents keep more of their paychecks and make it easier to work. Supporting home energy improvements would help families use less electricity and heating fuel. And building more housing would give seniors and young families more affordable options so they can stay in the communities they call home.

We also need to make sure working people earn enough to get ahead. I support fair wages, strong benefits, and collective bargaining rights. The measure of success should be whether people can pay their bills, save for a rainy day, and build a future in Connecticut.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a small business owner, I know a strong work ethic is necessary for survival. You have to show up, solve problems, manage limited resources, and follow through because your livelihood depends on it. These are qualities I believe every state senator should have.

In this campaign, I've brought together volunteers across 18 towns and built an organization focused on listening directly to voters. That takes persistence, coordination, and the ability to turn shared goals into action.

I would bring those same habits to the Senate: do the work, be a good listener, ask the hard questions, and deliver on my promises.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

You deserve to know where your state senator stands, even when the answer isn't what you hoped to hear. I'll give you a straight answer, explain my reasoning, and listen when you disagree. My positions won't change depending on who's in the room, but I'll always be willing to learn and reconsider when the facts warrant it.

As a dad, I'm thinking about the Connecticut our children will inherit. I want them to be able to afford to stay, build a life here, and trust that their government is working for them. That takes honesty, hard work, and the willingness to make difficult decisions and stand behind them.