Patch Candidate Profile: Rachel Chaleski, 138th State House 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.

Rachel Chaleski, a Danbury resident, is running for election in the 138th House District. She is challenging two-term incumbent Democrat Kenneth Gucker.

Campaign website

Party affiliation: Republican, Independent

Education: B.A., Biology from Concordia College, NY

Occupation: Full-time Mom and volunteer; former Finance Analyst

Family: Happily married to Carl for 19 years; Proud mother of two children in the Danbury Public Schools; dog Luke and cats Leia and Obi.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective: Danbury Board of Education since 2017 and current Board Chair, past Vice-Chair and Secretary.

Age: 43

Why are you seeking this office?

With a flexible schedule, I have found a passion to humbly serve and give back to our community. It has been an honor to serve on the Danbury Board of Education for nearly 5 years. I hope to bring that passion and experience to be a fierce advocate and true voice for the people who live in the 138th District. Our district deserves a leader who will put the needs of Danbury first and who will affect real, sustained changes rather than temporary fixes during an election year.

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

The resounding top concern I hear from residents is the rising high costs of basic goods and services. CT families and businesses bear some of the highest taxes in the country already, while we experience record-high inflation. Especially given our current economy, as well as Danbury’s poverty rate (11% according to the latest census) and the 35% of Danbury families categorized as United Way’s ALICE (working paycheck to paycheck), I would work to limit the tax burden and to support a fiscally responsible budget that grows our economy.

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

My ability to lead with integrity, civility and transparency gave me the distinct honor of the Independent Party endorsement. I have the experience and ability to listen objectively, think independently, and work in a bipartisan fashion to achieve progress towards real solutions.

With the dual perspective of a parent and Board of Education member, I understand the urgency and complexities surrounding matters of public education, as well as the financial impact of any new law or mandate. I have been a constant advocate for our community from local policy to state funding.

I know what it means to be truly present and accessible, not just at events or ribbon cuttings, but at a school function, PTO meeting, at the grocery store or simply out walking the dog.

In what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

In this past session, my opponent voted 100% with his party, voting against an amendment that would have provided substantially more tax relief for CT families, while also voting to give himself a 43% salary raise. Connecticut continues to implement new or increased taxes (over $5 billion since 2011). Recent examples during my opponent’s time in office are the gas tax (temporarily suspended through Election Day), diesel tax, highway use tax, bag tax, prepared food tax, digital download tax, motor vehicle trade-in tax, and an increase to the antiquated bottle deposit system.

Because he has failed to support small businesses, my opponent has received very low scores (as low as 38% and not higher than 60%) from the two largest business advocacy organizations, CBIA and NFIB, over recent sessions.

On education, my opponent claims to have obtained millions of additional dollars for Danbury Public Schools, while that gradual increase was the result of a newly phased-in education formula passed in 2017 before he took office. Every year since, the Board of Education has requested an acceleration of the new 10-year phase-in by only one year without any support. While being denied our fair share of state education funding, my opponent also denies our community a public state charter school that was overwhelmingly approved by the State Board of Education. Yet, he has supported increased funding to all other charters across the state.

Despite the testimonies and pleas of countless police officers, my opponent voted to pass the rushed and controversial “police accountability bill,” making the work of an officer more difficult and dangerous. While some aspects of the bill were found acceptable, others were of major concern. My opponent rejected several calls to fix these issues and voted against several amendments towards more reasonable and responsible measures.

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

I support Connecticut’s laws that protect a women’s right to choose and restricts late-term abortion unless to preserve the life or health of the expectant mother.

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

Before becoming a member of the Board of Education, I worked for a year to reverse a bad policy decision of the Board that was unintentionally discriminatory in nature. Though this policy did not affect my family, I felt compelled to make the community and Board aware of its wrong and set it right. I was successful in this endeavor due to my determination, persistence, and willingness to reach across the aisle.

On the Board of Education, it has been exciting to play a critical role in some major undertakings for the District, such as the new Danbury Career Academy, a Board Policy Audit, and redesign of the District’s vision and mission.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

As of late, be true to yourself! This was particularly reassuring for me, as I feel I do not fit the perceived idea of a candidate based solely on party affiliation. I will always endeavor to stand up for what is right rather than political agenda.