Pat Callahan Announces Bid For State Assembly Seat

NEW FAIRFIELD, CT — Longtime resident and community volunteer Patrick Callahan today announced his candidacy for the 108th General Assembly District seat representing residents of New Fairfield, Sherman, New Milford and Danbury.

Callahan is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat currently held by Richard Smith, who this week announced his retirement from the job he's held since 2010.

"My top goal top goal is to make Connecticut affordable for its residents," Callahan said. "Too many people are moving to other states to escape the high taxes and exorbitant cost of living and doing business here in Connecticut. We need a much stronger economy, with better,
higher paying jobs.

"I am committed to preserving the health and beauty of Candlewood Lake and I am completely opposed to any type of tolls on Connecticut roads. I absolutely love Connecticut and I will work non-stop to achieve the change that is urgently needed in Hartford."

Callahan has lived in New Fairfield 25 years. He and his wife, New Fairfield native Andrea, have three children all of whom have attended New Fairfield Schools. Pat and his wife both graduated from WCSU. Callahan currently serves on the town's Planning Commission, and he has served as a member of the Ethics Commission. He’s a former member of the Candlewood Lake Authority, serving as chairman for 10 years. Callahan has coached local youth lacrosse and football in New Fairfield as well.

Callahan said he became interested in the legislature's work during his service on the Lake Authority, when he worked with former State Representative Mary Ann Carson to testify on
policy.

"I am not only pleased but excited to endorse Pat Callahan to be the next State Representative from the 108th. New Fairfield, Sherman, New Milford and Danbury have already benefited from Pat’s hands-on approach both as a dedicated Judicial Branch employee and as past Chairman of the CLA. It is indeed encouraging to know that a man with Pat's character, commitment and concern for his fellow citizens is willing to serve. Thanks to Pat and his family for stepping forward on our behalf," Carson said.

"Pat possesses the right blend of passion and community volunteerism to be an effective representative for our District, and I wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy to continue our efforts to get Connecticut moving in the right direction," State Representative Richard Smith
said.

"It would be an honor to follow in the footsteps of my good friend Rich Smith, who has done a great job speaking up and fighting for us in the legislature. We must continue his fight for lower taxes, faster business growth and expansion of the job market to restart our economy," said
Callahan, who's worked in criminal justice for nearly 30 years. "We can't hope to turn our state around unless we have people who are willing to carry the flag that Rich did all these years, and I plan to do everything I can to make our state a more affordable place to live."

Callahan is a chief probation officer for Connecticut’s Judicial Branch. His father, Robert, served as Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court from 1996 to 1999.

Republicans in the 108th District will choose their nominee for the seat in a May convention.