Patch Candidate Profile: Julie Kushner, 24th State Senate District

DANBURY, CT — The 2022 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 gubernatorial election, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs. All five of Connecticut's congressional seats, plus one U.S. Senate seat, 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.

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

Sen. Julie Kushner, a Danbury resident, is running for re-election in the 24th District.

Campaign website

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: Bachelor of Arts

Occupation: State Senator; Retired, UAW 9A, 42 years

Family: Husband, Larry Morgan; Children: Ole Hermanson, Raychel Wishart & Cara Morgan; 4 grandchildren ranging from ages 10 to 16

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Previous public office, appointive or elective: Elected State Senator in 2018, Re-elected in 2020

Age: 70 years old

Why are you seeking this office?

My life's work has been bringing people together to find solutions and improve their lives. As State Senator, I have been able to tackle big problems and come up with big solutions -- like establishing the Paid Family Medical Leave program. Previously, a person couldn't afford to take time off to care for a loved one with a serious illness, or even oneself in many cases. Since CT Paid Leave started paying benefits last January, we've already helped 32,000 people. This is incredibly important and rewarding work. I want to continue to make a difference in our community and in Hartford.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Making ends meet. I will continue to work on reducing taxes on middle class and working families -- starting by increasing the child tax rebate that provided up to $750 to families in 2022. I would like to see that increased and made permanent. I would also work to include more seniors in paying zero taxes on their pensions and annuities by raising the income thresholds. I think we should also continue the 25-cent gas tax break. Ultimately, I want to see a fairer tax system for middle class and working families.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I look forward to returning to Hartford -- I'm proud of the progress we've made for working families and I want to expand upon it. My opponent wants to take us backward. In a recent debate, my opponent said she would cut state spending. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I worked on the State budget. Would my opponent cut services to the elderly and disabled, or cut funding to our public schools? I worked on bringing more funding to our schools and to the non-profits in our community that care for those in great need. Would she cut funding to fight opioid addiction? I helped to expand and fund a peer navigator program developed by parents who lost a loved one to overdose. The services we provide, and the investments we make to keep people safe and healthy are critical services, I look forward to expanding them, not cutting them.

During the same debate, my opponent said she thinks that our gun violence prevention laws go too far -- specifically citing our "red flag" laws. These are laws that allow judges to remove guns from an individual who has been determined to be a risk to themself or to others.
During the debate, my opponent seemed to be in agreement with the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade -- saying they gave the power back to the states to decide. She went on to say we should shorten the amount of time a woman in CT would have to access abortion services. This concerns me greatly -- I strongly disagree with the ruling of the Supreme Court, and I wouldn't want to restrict access to abortion in our state.

Finally, my opponent suggested that the Paid Family Medical Leave program isn't sufficiently funded. This is just plain wrong. Actuaries have analyzed the fund and made projections well into the future certifying that the fund is both solvent and is building up a strong reserve. I'm concerned that my opponent would seek to cut-back on this program -- I would like to see us look forward to expanding coverage.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

During the campaign, I've talked about protecting our environment, keeping our communities safe from gun violence, and fully funding our public schools. I'm also co-chairing a working group that is preparing recommendations for the legislature on how to improve indoor air quality in our schools -- an issue I'm passionate about.

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

From day one in office, I was in a leadership position, leading on the top two priorities of the state Senate in 2019 -- Paid Family Leave and Increasing the Minimum Wage to $15. Both these bills passed and were signed into law by the Governor. I've learned how to work with my colleagues to pass a budget that has put Connecticut on a path of security. When we were hit hard by the pandemic in 2020, I went to work -- meeting with my colleagues and the Governor to develop policies to keep us safe. While far too many died from Covid, our state was considered one of the safest. My work didn't stop at the policy level, I organized volunteers to staff phonebanks, and we called thousands of constituents -- regardless of party affiliation -- we reached out to "Check In" on folks, and we found hundreds of people who needed help. I have worked very hard during the four years that I have been in office -- I am constantly out in the community, accessible to all. I hoped that I have earned the confidence of the people of the 24th Senate District and they will return me to Hartford.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Don't give up -- we always win -- sometimes it just takes us a little longer than we would like.

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

I love serving our district; it is such a privilege. I've met wonderful people who I would never have had the opportunity to know. I've been in a position to help solve problems on a very local and individual level. I've worked hard to represent everyone, and I've been embraced by the diverse communities within the 24th Senate District. Thank you for allowing me to be your Senator.