Candidate Profile: Jeff Weiss, 103rd State House District

CHESHIRE, 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.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Jeff Weiss, 58, of Cheshire, is running for election to the House of Representatives in the 103rd District, representing Cheshire, Hamden, and Wallingford.

Party:

Republican

Campaign website:

https://jeffweissforct.com/

Occupation:

Marketing

Family:

Wife and five adult children

Does anyone in your family work in government?

Yes, Wife, Regulator

Previous public office:

Deputy Registrar of Voters

Why are you seeking this office?

Cheshire, Hamden, and Wallingford need representation at the state level that will work to protect our rights and our interests.

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

Affordability is the number one concern I hear from voters as I meet them at their doors. Energy costs, taxes, and the cost of housing have been cited most frequently as contributors to the affordability crisis that has been building in Connecticut for decades under one-party rule.

The Public Benefits Charge has increased electric bills unnecessarily. I support eliminating the charge and incorporating only necessary programs into the general budget.

Rapidly rising property taxes are driving up costs for all of us and threaten to force retirees from their homes. I propose to take the budget pressure off town by eliminating many of the state government's unfunded mandates. I also propose we cap property tax increases at the rate of inflation unless the town approves the one-year increase by a super-majority referendum.

Housing costs will be reduced by getting property taxes under control. Also, we need to be able to increase our housing stock to meet market demand. We have a shortage of skilled trades that impedes our ability to meet that demand. There are statutes that prevent companies from expanding to meet that demand and I intend to amend them.

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

A large part of Connecticut's energy costs have been driven by state government mandates on electric utilities that force them to operate inefficiently to support politically driven plans. Municipal utilities, for the most part, do not face these constraints and are able to delivery electricity to residents and businesses far more economically. I would work to remove these constraints and let the free market deliver lower cost electric service to customers.

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

Connecticut's affordability crisis has been brewing for decades under one-party rule. The Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index has ranked Connecticut near the bottom (47th) in recent years. According to the CBIA, Connecticut ranks around 40th in "business friendliness." 99,000 regulations on businesses contribute to that low ranking.

In Hartford, I will push for fiscal responsibility and shrinking the size of government to reduce taxes. I will work to reduce the burden of unnecessary regulations on businesses to grow our state economy.

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

With over 35 years of private sector experience as a small-business owner, I have learned the most important thing is to listen to your customers and put them first. As state representative, I will listen to my constituents and take their views into consideration in the legislative process.

My engineering degree from WPI has helped me to address problems analytically and consider the downstream effects of actions taken. I intend to bring that common sense approach to crafting legislation in Hartford.

Serving as Deputy Registrar of Voters in New Haven for five years afforded me the opportunity to work closely with people with widely different viewpoints in an apolitical non-partisan environment. Building consensus and working across the aisle to get things done helps bring the best ideas to the forefront.

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

Connecticut deserves better. One-party rule has resulted in a callous disregard for the constitutional rights of our citizens and no consideration of the financial burden they are asked to bear to support a growing and highly politicized government.

We must return to the days of constructive dialog between legislators and active engagement with our citizens to solve problems and deliver measurable results. We need to restore balance in the legislature and take into consideration the voice of the people.

See also: Candidate Profile: Liz Linehan, 103rd State House District