CT Patch Candidate Profile: Amy Chai For 3rd Congressional District

CONNECTICUT — 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.

Dr. Amy Chai, a North Haven resident, is running to represent the 3rd Congressional District.

Campaign website

Party affiliation

Independent

Education

BA Biology, The Johns Hopkins University; MD Indiana University School of Medicine; Internal Medicine Residency, University of Michigan Medical Center, MS Epidemiology, fellowship Academic Medicine (care of the complex patient) University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Addiction Medicine, Practice Track

Occupation

Physician, Educator, Author, Speaker, 30 years

Family

Husband Toby Chai, MD, is Chairman of Urology at Boston Medical System. Son Nathan Chai, MD, recent graduate Yale medical school; Daughter Hannah Chai, current MBA student at Duke. We are an interracial family. My husband is an immigrant from Taiwan.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

We are all math and science. Nobody works for the government.

Age

59

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Not applicable

Why are you seeking this office?

I want to restore unity to America, by being a pragmatic problem-solver instead of an ideologue. Solving complex problems is my day job. I want to prevent kids from developing addictions and solve the problem of mental health, addiction, homelessness and crime. It is shameful that only 17% of New Haven kids read at grade level. That stops now. I also want to use scientific method and accountability to policy. I want to end the corrupt stranglehold of the two party system with term limits, campaign finance reform, and ranked choice voting. I want to make your viewpoint a civil right with the Viewpoint Discrimination Act. I have a far better plan for sustainability called the Green Future Initiative that won’t destroy the economy. I have policy for every topic.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is the crime and addiction that escalates social unrest and costs money. I intent to work with kids and end the school to prison pipeline.

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

I am unique in that I do not crave money or power. I crave solutions and I am willing to serve you and represent you. I will respect you and never divide you. I am not corrupt.

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

The achievement gap has consistently worsened under Rosa Delauro. It is worst in the nation. She throws money around but it never seems to get to where it is needed. She has failed New Haven. Her corrupt cronies could not possibly care less about service. I will fix that immediately. Before more kids end up dead or in my addiction clinic. I will secure borders. I won’t send billions for wars abroad.

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

I will revamp the tax system to shift the burden from earned income to wealth transfer. Time to take the finger off the scale. No special interests.

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

My record speaks for itself. I have taken on the most challenging social and medical problems. I have written my own policy. If I do not know something today, I will know it tomorrow. I solve problems.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Never lie.

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

My life is about service. Full stop. I do not expect anything in return.