Candidate Profile: Raghib Allie-Brennan, 2nd State House District

DANBURY, CT — Raghib Allie-Brennan, a Democrat, is seeking reelection to Connecticut's 2nd State House District in the Nov. 3 general election.

Allie-Brennan, who has represented portions of Bethel and Danbury since 2019, is running against Republican Deborah Rizzo.

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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 Allie-Brennan's responses to Patch's candidate questionnaire:

Candidate's Name:

Raghib Allie-Brennan

What office are you seeking?

State Representative

Age:

35

District:

2

Party:

Democrat

Campaign website:

https://raghibforct.com

Occupation:

Client Relationship Manager

Family:

My dad is an immigrant from Guyana and is a CT small business owner and my mom works in the healthcare industry. I have two sisters.

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No

Previous public office:

State Representative 2nd House District (2019-Current); Board Member Bethel Inland Wetlands (2013)

Why are you seeking this office?

Bethel is the community that raised me, and serving the people of Bethel and Danbury for the past eight years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. When I first ran for office, I wanted to bring a new generation of leadership to Hartford, grounded in practical solutions, accessibility, and a willingness to work across party lines. That commitment hasn't changed.

I'm proud of what we've accomplished together. From securing millions in state investments for our schools, parks, infrastructure, and local organizations to advancing legislation that strengthens protections for domestic violence survivors, expands access to fertility care, and addresses energy affordability, I've worked to turn the concerns I hear from residents into meaningful action.

But there's more to do. Families are struggling with rising costs, small businesses need a more predictable environment to grow, and our communities deserve continued investments in education, public safety, and infrastructure.

I'm a Democrat, but my responsibility is to the people of Bethel and Danbury first. That means working with anyone willing to get things done, challenging my own party when necessary, and never putting political loyalty ahead of the people I serve.

I'm running again because I love this community, believe in its future, and know that experience, relationships, and independent leadership can continue delivering real results for our district.

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

Affordability is the number one issue facing Connecticut. Whether I'm knocking on doors in Bethel and Danbury or talking with small business owners, I hear the same concerns: electric bills are too high, housing is increasingly out of reach, healthcare costs continue to rise, and families are struggling to keep up.

We cannot expect people to build their futures here if they cannot afford to stay.

As a member of the legislature's Energy and Technology Committee and a former congressional energy policy advisor, I've made lowering energy costs a priority. I've supported reforms to reduce unnecessary costs on electric bills, expand affordable energy options, strengthen accountability for utilities, and diversify our energy supply, including nuclear power. We need a long-term energy strategy that prioritizes reliability and affordability rather than shifting costs onto ratepayers.

But affordability goes beyond utility bills. We must continue paying down Connecticut's long-term pension debt, maintain fiscal discipline, and create opportunities for sustainable tax relief. I'm also working to expand access to affordable healthcare coverage for small businesses, streamline permitting, and make Connecticut more competitive for employers.

On housing, I support increasing supply and expanding opportunities for first-time homebuyers while respecting local decision-making. Communities like Bethel and Danbury need practical solutions, not one-size-fits-all zoning mandates imposed by Hartford.

I'm proud to have been recognized by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association as a 2026 Affordability Champion for my work supporting policies that make our state more competitive and affordable.

Ultimately, affordability isn't a partisan issue. It's about whether working families, seniors, young people, and small businesses can afford to call Connecticut home. My focus is on delivering practical, bipartisan solutions that make that possible.

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

Connecticut's electric rates are among the highest in the country, and families and businesses are paying the price. Lowering those costs has been one of my top priorities, both as a member of the Energy and Technology Committee and in my work on regional energy policy.

We need to stop treating rising electric bills as inevitable. Ratepayers deserve transparency, accountability, and a comprehensive strategy that delivers real savings.

I've supported legislation to reduce electric bills, rein in costs associated with the public benefits charge, expand local solar generation, and require greater scrutiny of how energy policies affect ratepayers. I've also pushed for greater regional cooperation because Connecticut's energy costs don't stop at our state borders.

Moving forward, my priorities include strengthening oversight of utility spending, reviewing mandates and programs that unnecessarily increase bills, and ensuring that the costs of public policy decisions are transparent and justified. Programs that serve important public purposes should be evaluated for effectiveness, and we need an honest conversation about which costs belong on electric bills versus in the state budget.

We also need a more diverse and reliable energy supply. That means preserving and expanding nuclear energy, investing in cost-effective renewables and energy storage, improving transmission infrastructure, and removing unnecessary barriers to new generation. I'm particularly interested in advanced nuclear technologies and regional policies that can lower wholesale electricity costs over the long term.

Finally, we must protect consumers from unnecessary rate increases while ensuring our electric grid remains safe and reliable.

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

First, we must continue paying down Connecticut's long-term debt, controlling spending, and creating opportunities for sustainable tax relief. I've supported bipartisan budgets that prioritize fiscal stability without imposing new broad-based taxes. Responsible budgeting today creates opportunities to reduce the burden on taxpayers tomorrow.

Second, we need to support the small businesses that drive our economy in Bethel and Danbury. That means predictable taxes, streamlined permitting, incentives for investments in equipment and technology, and more affordable healthcare options for small employers and their employees. I'm proud to have been recognized as a 2026 Affordability Champion by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association for my work supporting economic competitiveness.

Third, housing affordability requires practical solutions. We need more housing options for young professionals, working families, and seniors who want to remain in our communities. I support responsible development and expanding housing opportunities while protecting local zoning authority. Bethel and Danbury should have a meaningful say in how their communities grow, not be subjected to one-size-fits-all mandates from Hartford.

Finally, one of the most direct ways I can help local taxpayers is by ensuring Bethel and Danbury receive their fair share of state resources. I've worked to bring millions of dollars back to our district for education, infrastructure, economic development, and essential services.

In Bethel, I helped secure an additional $1 million in state funding last year and another $500,000 this year, alongside investments in Parloa Park, our Teen Center, and local economic development. In Danbury, working alongside Mayor Roberto Alves and my legislative colleagues, we secured an additional $23.66 million annually through the 2025 state budget, totaling $47.3 million over two years. This year, our delegation secured another $4.54 million in education and municipal aid, including nearly $3 million for our schools. These investments help strengthen essential services and ease pressure on local property taxpayers.

Affordability isn't something we can solve with slogans or a single piece of legislation. It requires experience, fiscal discipline, bipartisan cooperation, and an understanding of how decisions in Hartford affect household budgets.

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

Before being elected to the General Assembly in 2018, I served as a congressional policy advisor, working on complex energy and environmental issues, and held elected office on Bethel's Inland Wetlands Commission. That experience taught me how government works at the federal, state, and local levels, and how important it is to bring people together to solve problems.

Over the past eight years, I've had the privilege of serving Bethel and Danbury in the legislature, including in my current role as Chief Majority Whip. I'm particularly proud of the work I've done turning the concerns of residents into meaningful legislation.

One of my most meaningful accomplishments was helping pass legislation inspired by Emily Todd, a young woman whose life was taken by domestic violence. Working with her mother, Jenn Lawlor, advocates, and colleagues from both parties, we advanced legislation establishing a plan for a statewide system to better track domestic violence cases. The legislation passed unanimously, demonstrating what's possible when we put people ahead of politics.

I also helped lead bipartisan legislation modernizing Connecticut's fertility insurance coverage, expanding opportunities for individuals and families pursuing parenthood. Working alongside Republican Representative Tammy Nuccio and Democratic colleagues, we demonstrated that meaningful progress doesn't have to be partisan.

Closer to home, I've worked to secure substantial state investments in Bethel and Danbury. That includes $500,000 to transform Parloa Park, funding to expand Francis J. Clarke Business Park, investments in our Teen Center and youth programs, and additional education and municipal aid. In Danbury, I've worked with Mayor Roberto Alves and our legislative delegation to secure increased school and municipal funding, support organizations like Danbury PAL and Regional Hospice, and advocate for critical transportation improvements, including Route 7 and I-84.

I've also demonstrated that leadership means knowing when to say no, including to my own party. I've opposed housing legislation that I believed undermined local zoning authority and threatened the character of our Main Streets. I support expanding housing opportunities, but I won't sacrifice local voices or public safety to meet political objectives.

My work on economic competitiveness and affordability was recognized this year when the Connecticut Business & Industry Association named me one of its 2026 Affordability Champions.

But accomplishments aren't measured only by bills passed or dollars secured. They're also measured by the constituent who finally gets help navigating a state agency, the family whose concerns are heard, or the neighborhood that receives a long-overdue investment.

After eight years, I understand how to navigate the legislative process, build bipartisan coalitions, and deliver results. Just as importantly, I haven't forgotten why I ran in the first place.

I'm a Democrat, but I represent Bethel and Danbury first. My record reflects that commitment, and it's the standard I continue to hold myself to.

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

I want voters to know that I've never believed public service should be about political labels, party loyalty, or simply telling people what they want to hear. It's about listening, showing up, and doing the work, even when that means making difficult or unpopular decisions.

I'm a Democrat, and I'm proud of the values that brought me into public service. But I'm also willing to disagree with my own party, work with Republicans, and challenge leadership when I believe the interests of Bethel and Danbury are at stake.

I believe our communities have far more in common than what divides us. We all want safe neighborhoods, good schools, affordable homes, thriving businesses, and opportunities for our families. Those goals shouldn't be Democratic or Republican. They should be shared priorities.

Unfortunately, politics has become increasingly focused on dividing people, questioning motives, and turning neighbors against one another. I don't believe that's what Bethel and Danbury need. We can disagree on policy without attacking someone's character, and we can have difficult conversations without losing respect for one another.

Eight years in public office have taught me humility, resilience, and the importance of accountability. Public service comes with scrutiny, criticism, and difficult moments. I've learned that what matters is continuing to listen, grow, and let the entirety of your work and character speak for itself.

I've never expected every resident to agree with me, and I've never believed someone should have to share my politics to receive my help. Whether you're a Democrat, Republican, independent, or someone who's given up on politics altogether, my door is open.

Bethel is the community that raised me, and representing Bethel and Danbury is a responsibility I take seriously. I believe leadership is about building bridges, finding common ground, and delivering results, not creating divisions for political advantage.

You don't have to agree with me on every issue to know where I stand, why I stand there, and whose interests I'm there to represent.

I'm not Hartford's representative in Bethel and Danbury. I'm Bethel and Danbury's representative in Hartford.