Candidate Profile: Kathy Kennedy 119th District

CONNECTICUT — 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.

Kathy Kennedy, a Milford resident, is running for House of Representatives District 119. An incumbent, Kennedy is seeking her second term.

<b>Party affiliation:</b> Republican Party
<b>Family:</b>My two beautiful children, Rebecca and Brett Huber. My two cats, Spencer and Sebastian
<b>Occupation:</b>Legal Administrative Assistant
<b>Previous elected experience:</b>State Representative for the 119th
<b>Family members in government:</b>No
<b>Campaign website:</b> Kathykennedyforthe119th

<b>The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>
Our state’s economic challenges continue to be one of our pressing issues, further impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to promote policies that will incentivize companies to invest, hire and grow their workforce. We need to make Connecticut more business friendly.

<b>What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>
I have been and will continue to be a voice in Hartford fighting for fiscal responsibility. I understand all to well the challenges families face each and every day. I will ask the hard questions, do my due diligence, listen to my constituents and make decisions in the best interests of my constituents. I grew up in Orange, attending public schools. I have lived most of my adult life in Milford.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>
I advocated against tolls that would have hurt my constituents and businesses in Milford and Orange. I also helped stop the shift of the teacher’s pension funds from the state onto our local municipalities, that would have resulted in higher local property taxes. I opposed a .5 percent pension tax that would have affected every Connecticut worker. I voted against a $1.7 billion tax hike on groceries, digital downloads, parking and dry cleaning.

<b>Do you believe Connecticut needs reform when it comes to electric utility oversight? What steps, if any should be taken?</b>
I believe we need to hold our utility companies accountable. There needs to be better communication. The rate payers shouldn’t have to pay for bad or unreliable service.

<b>What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?</b>
We need to be a more business friendly state. We can start by restoring the tax credit. We need to bring the entire tax credit back to 93 percent, and we need to revisit the sales tax put on safety apparel and employee training and repeal that tax.

<b>List other issues that define your campaign platform:</b>
I will work to improve tax exemptions for our seniors, reduce and control spending and fight to stop electric rate hikes. We need to keep our young people in Connecticut through increased job training and homeowner incentives. I am opposed to tax increases as well as fee increases. We also need to limit our spending and look at duplicative services.

<b>What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>
I am a common sense, independent voice. I will advocate for my constituents, and make my decisions based on people, not party. I am approachable, I will listen and base my decisions on the best interests of my constituents and their needs. Community is everything to me.