CT Patch Candidate Profile: Meghan McCloat For 134th District

FAIRFIELD, 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.

Meghan McCloat, a Fairfield, CT resident, is running for State Representative 134th District:

Campaign website

https://votemccloat.com

Party affiliation

Republican, cross-endorsed by Independent Party

Education

Quinnipiac School of Law: JD magna cum laude; New York Medical College, MPH; Bachelors Degree: College of the Holy Cross

Occupation

I'm currently a Law Firm Administrator at a New Canaan Law Firm. I previously worked in private equity, for a health and fitness investment firm, while attending Law School to focus on healthcare law. Having focused most of my education and career on following my passion for healthcare policy and quality care improvement, I continue to aspire to bridge the distant concepts of clinical healthcare and legal policy improvement toward the goal of more efficient, economically sustainable and long-term health outcomes. During my clinical school preparation, I worked and researched at various hospital systems including Yale New Haven Health, UMASS Memorial Medical Center and UMASS Medical School in addition to working at the non-profit organization Autism Speaks, where I focused on research involving early diagnosis and transition to treatment programs, specifically in underserved communities.

Family

I've been married to my husband Sly for 3 years and we have an English Bulldog, named Cannoli.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

32

Previous public office, appointive or elective

No

Why are you seeking this office?

To help represent my neighbors and fellow residents on the issues that matter most to them. I feel I have the skills to advocate on their behalf and be a common sense legislator in Hartford who will work hard to get things done and embrace change, rather than continue the bipartisan division that prevents positive growth in our State.
Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Affordability and Local Control. We've got to make Connecticut a place where families, young and old, want to live, grown and thrive in. We need to attract revenue-generating corporations, invest in infrastructure, and market our State as the wonderful place it is, to retain the next generation. Hartford has been imposing one-size-fits-all mandates on Towns throughout the State with little regard to the local governance knowing what works best for their hometown. It's time to return the local control to the towns and municipalities.

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

I'm representative of the moderate middle. I'm not a fringe radical, and I'm not a party pleaser. I speak on the issues, based on my critical analysis and review of the legislation and the facts, and I stand up for what I believe in, even when it's the minority position. I'm focused on progress and change, and not standing on ceremony or crafting press releases. I want to be a 'normal working person' voice for my neighbors, instead of a career politician who votes in a vacuum. These are unprecedented times and we don't have time to sit in an ivory tower when the people of Connecticut are in desperate need of relief, of affordable costs of living, and for sustainable solutions to keep their families thriving and working in our State.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I'm endorsed by the previous State Rep, Laura Devlin who is running for Lt. Governor. I am honored to be tasked with filling her shoes.

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

Repealing 8-30g, improving quality healthcare access, crime reduction, supporting our law enforcement and advocating for our children in our schools.

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

I recently used my healthcare law background to advocate for my neighbors as the President of a grass-roots organization, Neighbors for Neighborhood Preservation Inc., an organization that opposes for-profit corporations circumventing zoning laws by seeking to establish and operate medical treatment facilities in residential neighborhoods like Greenfield Hill and Southport. I've worked with our local legislators over the past 3 years to advocate and lobby for legislation to clarify the definition of group homes to prevent improper invocation of the exemption, in order to protect quality care delivery of mental health treatment by advocating for proper regulation, proper zoning and proper oversight of operations. I drafted the bills, I lobbied them before Planning & Development and Housing committees, and I gathered stakeholder input and research metrics to leverage our proposal. I can confidently say I can handle this work, because I've already done it, albeit as a volunteer. I know the ins and outs of our legislative process in CT because I've already had to navigate it. This will not be my first rodeo in Hartford.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

3 things: 1. You can never be overdressed or overeducated (Oscar Wilde and my Mom) 2. The smartest people in every room are the ones who entered ready to learn and listen (my Dad). 3. Ask the difficult questions (my Grandma).

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

I'm a life long community volunteer, which I think is what makes me most prepared to fill this role. Nothing prepares somebody more to represent their community, than spending time serving their community and learning the needs of the people who live in your neighborhoods. My most proud accomplishments are some of the charitable organizations I've held leadership roles in which returned some of my most valuable experiences. As a member of the President’s Council of the Yale New Haven Health & Bridgeport Hospital’s Norma Pfriem Breast Cancer Center, I've chaired Town of Fairfield’s Pink Pledge Campaign that organizes local schools, merchants and corporations to unite each October to raise awareness and funds for the breast center’s patients and services. Pink Pledge has raised over $1.2 million in the 8 years since it began. I'm also an active volunteer with other local organizations such as Al’s Angels, which raises funds for pediatric cancer, and I've previously held executive board positions in the Junior Women’s Club of Fairfield and Big Brothers Big Sister. I was involved in the advertising campaign for the Town of Fairfield’s 375th Anniversary Celebration working with the First Selectman’s office and continues to volunteer my time toward events that support community engagement. I'm an active member of the alumni association at Notre Dame High School in Fairfield, and I created the Jerry McCloat Lancer Football Memorial Scholarship in honor of my father, which hosted a golf outing fundraiser to support the football program. I also co-founded the Cardinal Sheehan Center 'Girls Zone' for preteen young girls to receive career advice, mentorship, self-esteem and guidance in Bridgeport. Giving back to the community is a part of my life that continues to drive my dedication toward service. Considering public office is just an extension of that community service and leadership, it is that reason that I'm willing to step up and be a voice for local residents.