Candidate Profile: Dr. Jerry Calnen, 59th House District

ENFIELD/EAST WINDSOR, CT — The 2020 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 presidential election, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs. All five of Connecticut's congressional seats 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 with a 91 to 60 lead over Republicans in the House and a 22 to 14 lead in the Senate.

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

Dr. Jerry Calnen, an Enfield resident, is running for election to the House of Representatives District 59, representing parts of Enfield and East Windsor.

Age: 72
Party affiliation: Democrat
Family: JoAnn Calnen (wife), Andrew LaBelle (stepson) David LaBelle (stepson), Allison LaBelle(daughter-in-law, Lukas and Loghan LaBelle ( grandsons)
Occupation: Pediatrician (MD received 44 years ago)
Previous elected experience: None
Family members in government: No
Campaign website: Calnenforthe59th.com

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
COVID 19. Considering especially the lack of leadership at the national level, CT leadership has done an exceptional job managing the pandemic. However, we need to recognize the stark reality that a future pandemic is inevitable, and we must be prepared for it. Connecticut must partner with the federal government to see to it that resources and expertise are immediately available to deal with it, as well as an infrastructure to prevent the kind of chaotic response we witnessed with COVID 19.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
As a primary care physician, I have the expertise to address the most significant issues of the day: COVID-19, access to medical care and addiction services, and the rising crisis of child and adolescent mental health disorders.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I worked with a community collaborative to promote developmental screening and behavioral health management in pediatric practices, served as the chairman of an ad hoc committee of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to integrate mental health services into pediatric practice, and served on the board of the Connecticut Association for Infant Mental Health. I also served as President of an international medical organization, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.

Do you believe Connecticut needs reform when it comes to electric utility oversight? What steps, if any should be taken?
PURA must take a more proactive role in oversight and regulation of the utility companies. Hikes in fees must be linked to how well these companies perform going forward, particularly with respect to how quickly they respond to outages and the manpower available to handle them.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?
Unfortunately, many local businesses that have closed will never reopen. This would be the right time for the State of Connecticut to invest in the green jobs of the future, and to provide training for these other high -skill jobs at technical schools and community colleges. Connecticut must join with other states in demanding passage of the HEROES Act as soon as possible. In the final analysis the best way to ensure a robust economic recovery is to enforce measures to contain the virus: social distancing, wearing of masks, adequate testing and contact tracing, and effective quarantine measures.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:
1) Universal pre-K. 2) Financial support for day care providers and preschool teachers to ensure that their compensation is commensurate with their responsibilities, 3) protect the right of those with pre-existing medical conditions to reasonably priced health insurance in the event the Supreme Court overturns the Affordable Care Act, 4) caps on the cost of life-saving medications such as insulin and EpiPen kits.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
Not only have I practiced medicine in this community for most of my life; I also grew up here. I care deeply about the many people here whom I have had the privilege of working with and befriending. It would be an honor to serve them in the General Assembly.

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