CT Patch Candidate Profile: Moira Rader For 98th State House District

GUILFORD, CT — Election Day on Nov. 3 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the state and town.

Moira Rader is running for re-election in the 98th State House District, which covers portions of Guilford and Branford.

Candidate's Name:

Moira Rader

What office are you seeking?

State Representative

District:

98

Party:

Democrat

Campaign website:

https://www.moiraforct@gmail.com

Occupation:

State Legislator / Designer

Family:

Married 25 years to Peter Rader. We have four wonderful kids.

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No

Previous public office:

State Representative - 2 terms (2023-present), Guilford Board of Education: 8 years (4 as Vice Chair)

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking reelection because I believe there is still important work to do for the people and communities I represent. My years in public service, first on the Guilford Board of Education and now in the legislature, have reinforced how important it is to listen, bring people together, and make sure the voices of our communities are heard.

As Assistant Majority Leader and Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, I have had the opportunity to help shape important decisions affecting our state, from how we invest in our schools and communities to how we address the rising cost of living. My work on the Education and Planning & Development committees have also allowed me to focus on issues that matter deeply to our families and our future.

I want to build on that work, continue finding practical solutions to the challenges facing our communities, and make sure the people of Guilford and Branford have a strong, thoughtful voice in Hartford. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I would be honored to continue serving our communities.

What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?

I believe the number one issue facing Connecticut is affordability. As a mother and a member of our community, I understand how the rising cost of everyday life affects families and the difficult choices people are having to make. From electricity and groceries to housing, transportation, and property taxes, these pressures are real, and we need to do more to address them.

I believe we have to be thoughtful about how we use taxpayer dollars while making investments that provide meaningful relief. That means working to bring down energy costs, strengthening funding for our schools and municipalities to help ease the burden on local property taxpayers, and expanding access to housing that people can afford. We also need to create opportunities for our young people to build their futures here in Connecticut.

Ultimately, I want to make sure that the people who work hard, raise their families, and contribute so much to our communities can afford to stay here and enjoy the quality of life that makes Connecticut such a special place to call home.

Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?

I understand the strain rising energy costs put on families. I feel it at home with my household energy bills. The federal administration’s war in Iran has driven up global fuel prices, adding to the pressure families are already feeling at the gas pump and on their electric bills. At the same time, efforts by the administration to block projects like Revolution Wind threaten our ability to bring more energy into New England and reduce our dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets.

Here in Connecticut, we have taken meaningful steps to address these challenges, including legislation to reduce costs on electric bills, investments in energy efficiency, and long-term nuclear power contracts that help provide greater price stability. We have also continued working to advance renewable energy, including offshore wind, solar, and battery storage, to diversify our energy supply and protect consumers over the long term.

We also recognize that families need help right now. Connecticut has set aside an additional $12.7 million from our Federal Cuts Response Fund to supplement the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program this winter, helping eligible households manage the cost of heating their homes.

We cannot control every decision made in Washington or every fluctuation in global fuel markets, but we can hold utilities accountable, invest in a more diverse and reliable energy supply, and provide targeted assistance to families who need it most. My focus is on delivering practical solutions that ease the pressure on household budgets today while building a more affordable and dependable energy future for Connecticut.

Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?

I understand firsthand the pressure families are under as they try to keep up with the cost of housing, groceries, electricity, transportation, and raising children. We need to make sure that working hard still gives people the opportunity to get ahead and thrive.

We have already taken important steps to ease these burdens. In the legislature, we established the Early Childhood Education Endowment, with an additional investment of approximately $320 million in this year's budget, to expand access to more affordable child care. We have increased funding for our schools and municipalities to help ease pressure on local property taxes, maintained tax relief for working families and seniors, and taken steps to reduce electric bills through long-term energy contracts and reforms to charges on ratepayers' bills.

We need to continue building on that progress. That means expanding access to housing people can afford, supporting working families and seniors, investing in our schools and communities, and being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. We also need to create opportunities for our young people to build their futures here in Connecticut.

There is no single solution, but we have a responsibility to keep finding practical ways to ease the pressures families face today while making thoughtful investments in our state's future. I want Connecticut to remain a place where people can afford to put down roots, raise their children, and enjoy the quality of life that makes our communities so special.

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

My experience in public service for over a decade has taught me that making an impact and being an effective voice for your community requires listening, building relationships, and being willing to work through complex challenges to find solutions. Before coming to the legislature, I served for eight years on the Guilford Board of Education, including four years as Vice Chair. That experience gave me a firsthand understanding of the challenges facing our schools, families, and local taxpayers.

In the legislature, I have worked to turn those concerns into action. I have helped advance legislation to strengthen special education services and provide additional support to local school districts, and I have championed universal free school breakfast so that children can start their day ready to learn. I am particularly proud of the work we have done to address the growing costs of special education, because families deserve the right services for their children and communities need sustainable ways to provide them.

My work on the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee has also given me a deeper understanding of how state budget decisions affect families, schools, and municipalities. I bring that perspective, along with my background in planning and design, to decisions about our communities' future. Whether we are investing in education, addressing affordability, or planning for responsible growth, I believe we need to look beyond the immediate challenge and consider the long-term impact of our decisions.

Ultimately, I believe my record reflects a commitment to doing the important work, listening to the people I represent, and finding practical solutions together to the challenges we face as a community and state. I would bring that same commitment and sense of responsibility to another term serving Guilford and Branford.

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

Public service has always been about more than a title for me. It is about showing up, listening to people, and doing the work to make our communities stronger. My background in education, planning, and design has shaped how I approach the challenges we face: by listening carefully, looking at the bigger picture, and finding thoughtful, practical solutions that serve people today while planning for the future.

I believe our communities are strongest when everyone has a voice and an opportunity to succeed. Whether we are supporting our schools, making Connecticut more affordable, protecting our shoreline and historic character, or creating opportunities for the next generation, I want to help ensure that Guilford and Branford remain places where people can build their lives and feel connected to their community.

I am proud to represent our communities, and I never take that responsibility for granted. It is an incredible honor. I will continue to approach this work with an open mind, an eagerness to listen, and a commitment to working with my community to reach our shared goals.