Candidate Profile: Josh Elliott, 88th District

HAMDEN, 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.

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

Josh Elliott, a Hamden resident, is running for re-election to the House of Representatives District 88.

Age: 35

Party affiliation: Democratic Party

Family: Mary Ellen Stearman is my mother, and we are in business together. We own Thyme and Season in Hamden and The Common Bond Market in Shelton.

Occupation: I have been a small business owner since 2014 after completing law school.

Previous elected experience: House representative of the 88th district since 2016

Campaign website: http://joshforstaterep.com/

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Inequality. I will fight to reform our tax structure, to pass criminal criminal justice reform, and to ensure equal pay for women.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

The critical difference between my opponent and I, is that I lead with compassion and want to fight for working families. I have fought for things like Paid Family and Medical Leave and raising the minimum wage while my opponent vehemently opposes these ideals.

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

I have accomplished delivering the policies I campaigned on in 2016 and 2018, and have a 98% voting record.

Do you believe Connecticut needs reform when it comes to electric utility oversight? What steps, if any should be taken?

Yes, I do. The plan is to come back for a special session this year to address this issue. We need to make people whole when they lose medicines and food due to a lack of preparation by the large utility companies when they know storms are coming.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?

We grew the rainy day fund for situations just like this. That way we can ensure that people are receiving unemployment and continue spending to bolster economic recovery.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

I'm fighting for folks who are the most underserved in our communities by ensuring that the state isn't taking kick backs from corporations. The state is punishing families of people who are incarcerated by making them pay the highest rates in the nation for telephone calls.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

The most important thing an elected official can do is to listen to their constituents and I respond to everyone who reaches out to me, and I encourage anyone reading this to feel free to contact me with any questions.