ENFIELD, CT — Democratic state Rep. John Santanella is seeking a second term representing Enfield's 58th House District, with school funding, child care and the cost of living among his priorities.
Santanella faces Republican Marie Pyznar, an Enfield town councilor and former deputy mayor. Election Day is Nov. 3.
Here are the candidate's responses to Patch's questionnaire.
Candidate's Name:
John Santanella
What office are you seeking?
State Representative
Age:
59
District:
58
Party:
Democrat
Campaign website:
https://www.johnsantanella.org
Occupation:
Self Employed
Family:
Not provided.
Does anyone in your family work in government?
No
Previous public office:
Enfield Town Council
Why are you seeking this office?
I'm seeking reelection for the same reason I ran two years ago: because I care deeply about Enfield and the people who call it home.
Over the past two years, I've worked hard to be a strong and effective voice for our community in Hartford, and I'm proud that those efforts have produced real, tangible results.
We've secured $10 million to support the redevelopment of the Enfield Square Mall, $300,000 in supplemental funding for our ambulance service, $100,000 to support fire district consolidation, and $1.4 million in Alliance District funding for our schools, along with additional resources to help address the rising costs of special education.
But some of the most meaningful work we do isn't measured in dollars. It's the work we do every day helping constituents navigate the challenges in their lives, whether it's resolving an unemployment claim, finding heating assistance, or getting access to health care. These may not make headlines, but they make a real difference in people's lives.
I'm proud of what we've accomplished, but there's much more to do. I've built relationships, gained valuable experience, and developed a stronger understanding of how to get things done in Hartford.
I would welcome the opportunity to continue putting that experience to work for the people of Enfield and building on the progress we've made together.
What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?
I think the single biggest concern I'm hearing from people across Enfield is the cost of living. And it's not any one thing. It's the cumulative impact of groceries, fuel, health care, child care, property taxes, and all the other expenses that working families face every day. People are feeling squeezed, and understandably so.
There isn't one simple solution to this problem, but I believe state government has an important role to play in making life more affordable.
That's why I've fought for increased state funding for our schools and will continue advocating for more direct financial assistance to cities and towns. Every additional dollar the state provides for essential local services is a dollar that doesn't have to come from local property taxpayers.
I also strongly support expanding access to affordable early childhood education and child care, including the initiatives Governor Lamont has been advancing. These are programs that can make a meaningful difference in the household budgets of working families.
Ultimately, my focus is on practical solutions that put money back into people's pockets, reduce the financial pressures they face, and make Enfield a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.
Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?
The cost of energy in Connecticut is simply too high, and I think we need to be honest with people: there is no quick or easy fix. Anyone who suggests otherwise isn't being realistic about the complexity of the problem.
Addressing energy costs will require a sustained, bipartisan effort to expand our energy supply, diversify our sources, and continue investing in renewable energy that can help reduce costs over the long term.
But we also need stronger oversight and greater accountability from Eversource. As a regulated utility, Eversource has a responsibility that goes beyond delivering returns to its shareholders. Its relationship with its customers must be every bit as important as its relationship with its investors.
A company's long-term success shouldn't be measured solely by its bottom line, but also by the value it delivers to the people it serves. Eversource needs to recognize that its long-term viability depends on a fair, responsible, and meaningful partnership with the State of Connecticut and, most importantly, with the customers who depend on it every day.
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Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?
As I mentioned earlier, affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing Connecticut families, and there is no single solution.
My focus will continue to be on securing more state funding for our communities, particularly for education, to ease the burden on local property taxpayers, while supporting initiatives like affordable child care that directly reduce household expenses.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I believe my record speaks for itself. Securing $10 million from the Community Investment Fund for the redevelopment of the Enfield Square Mall during my first term, along with millions of dollars in additional funding for our schools, public safety, and other critical town services, demonstrates that I know how to get things done in Hartford.
I've built the relationships, gained the experience, and demonstrated the ability to deliver meaningful results for Enfield. And I intend to build on that record in a second term.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
More than anything, I want people to know how genuinely grateful I am for the privilege of serving and representing the community that has always been my home. The trust that the people of Enfield have placed in me is something I take very seriously, and I work every day to honor that trust.
I remain deeply committed to fighting for working families, advocating for the issues that matter most to them, and making sure their voices are heard in Hartford.
Ultimately, public service is about making a positive difference in people's lives. That's what motivates me every day, and that's the commitment I will continue to bring to this office: working to make Enfield a better place to live, not just for those of us who call it home today, but for generations to come.
For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.
Editor's note: Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and the issues facing the state. The responses below were submitted by the candidate and reflect the candidate's views. Minor typographical corrections have been made.
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