Candidate Profile: Liz Linehan, 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.

Liz Linehan, 52, of Cheshire, is running for re-election to the House of Representatives in the 103rd District, representing Cheshire, Hamden, and Wallingford.

Party:

Democrat and Independent Cross-Endorsed

Campaign website:

https://LizLinehanCT.com

Occupation:

Legislator

Family:

Husband and three children

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No

Previous public office:

State Representative and Cheshire Town Council

Why are you seeking this office?

Representing my district has been an honor of a lifetime, and there is still so much work to be done.

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

I believe the most important issue facing Connecticut is affordability, especially the cost of energy.

Outrageously high home heating oil prices could cripple family budgets this winter. Immediately, I want to use our Federal Response Fund to strengthen fuel assistance and create a supplemental tier so more working and middle class families can qualify for help with heating costs as oil prices rise nationally.

Longer term, I want to pass municipal aggregation, which would allow towns to negotiate electricity supply rates on behalf of their residents, using their collective buying power to secure lower, more stable electric prices.

We can’t control every cost families face, but we can use the tools we have to lower the ones we can.

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

Using the Federal Response Fund for home heating assistance can immediately help families burdened by the oil price increases caused by the war with Iran, while adding more middle class families who currently earn too much to normally qualify for assistance.

Our geography is also a major contributor to energy costs. A significant increase in natural gas supply depends on additional pipeline capacity through New York. Until that happens, we need to produce more power here at home, including nuclear, wind and solar, to reduce our dependence on expensive out of state energy.

And municipal aggregation can give communities the buying power to negotiate lower, more stable electricity rates right now. It's time to get creative. I've introduced a number of bills for creative solutions, and we need to revisit deregulation and municipal utilities.

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

I will work to keep reducing the pressure on local property taxes by increasing the state’s share of education and municipal costs. Every state dollar I bring back to the district is one less dollar which needs to be raised through local property taxes. I've brought back more money to the district than ever before, and it will continue to be a huge priority.

Also, in addition to the energy proposals I’ve discussed, health care is one of the biggest affordability pressures on families and small businesses. I’m working with the Comptroller on the Connecticut Option, which would use the state’s purchasing power to help small businesses offer good, affordable health insurance to their employees.

Affordability isn’t one bill, it means attacking the biggest household expenses wherever we can.

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

The best evidence I can do this job is that I’ve been doing it, and delivering results.

I’ve helped bring hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding back to Cheshire, Hamden and Wallingford for schools, public safety, open space, infrastructure and community projects, so our district can benefit without paying for it through their local property taxes.

I’ve written and passed laws protecting children, crime victims and first responders, and strengthening support for families and schools.

And my office has helped countless constituents cut through government bureaucracy and solve problems when they didn’t know where else to turn.

I know how to get things done, and I believe my record proves that.

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

I work hard, I show up, and I genuinely love representing our community. You don’t have to agree with me on everything to know I’ll always fight for you.

I believe good government is about listening, solving problems and delivering results - not ideology or partisan talking points. I’m a Democrat, and I’ve never been afraid to work across the aisle, or change my mind when the facts demand it.

My approach has always been simple: ideas, not ideology, people first, and results over rhetoric.