Candidate Profile: Jorge Cabrera, 17th State Senate District

HAMDEN, CT — The 2026 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 Connecticut gubernatorial 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.

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

Jorge Cabrera, 52, of Hamden, is running for re-election to the 17th state senate district, representing parts of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck, and Woodbridge.

Party:

Democrat

Campaign website:

https://jorgecabreract.com/

Occupation:

Business Development, IUPAT DC 11

Family:

Wife Rebecca, two twin sons Gabe and Jorge

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No

Why are you seeking this office?

I’m running for re-election to represent the 17th Senate district and to continue fighting and working to lower everyday costs for families, working people and seniors.

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

The number one issue facing Connecticut families is affordability. Over the past few years, I’ve pushed to cut electric bills by hundreds of dollars per year for every Connecticut resident, voted for a childcare endowment fund that will make childcare free or reduced for thousands of families

Moving forward, I will continue advocating for increased school and municipal funding that will help lower property taxes. I will also look at ways to cut taxes for the middle class and working families and invest in our young people so they can work, live and raise a family here. As Chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, I will also work to lower the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs so people aren’t choosing between everyday essentials and life-saving medicine.

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

Previously, I voted to save residents hundreds of dollars a year on their utility bills. I also voted to hold utility companies accountable, not allowing them to use ratepayer money to pay for lobbying or personal expenses. I think we can also look at ways to incentive towns to have their own utility companies similar to what a few towns do who pay far less in energy costs. We also recently learned the CEO of Eversource was holding back on investments until Eversource was able to charge more for storm response. That is costing ratepayers millions and is outrageous and wrong.

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

In addition to what I wrote above, we also need to do more in terms of tax cuts, such as completely eliminating the state income tax on Social Security. We can also look at other taxes like the property tax on motor vehicles.

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

Some accomplishments I would highlight are passing and maintaining the largest income tax cut in state history. We’re also addressing the inequities in education funding and our ECS formula, which led to historic funding increases for my towns that will provide students and teachers with resources to succeed. We also stood up to big tech companies to protect people’s data and privacy and to help prevent price gouging so you can’t be charged more than someone else. I also helped passed laws that capped the cost of prescription drugs and insulin so people don’t have to choose which medication they can take each month.

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

I’m a tireless advocate for the 17th Senate District, which has diverse and specific needs. While we may disagree on certain topics, I will have a conversation with anyone on any issue and hear the different sides. I take my job as State Senator very seriously and take into consideration the points of view of all the residents of Ansonia, Bethany, Beacon Falls, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge. I work for them.

See also: Candidate Profile: John-Paul Dorais, 17th State Senate District