CT Patch Candidate Profile: Justin Paglino 3rd Congressional District

NEW HAVEN, CT — 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.

Justin Paglino, a Guilford, CT resident, is running for Connecticut's 3rd Congressional District.

Campaign website

Party affiliation

Green Party of Connecticut

Education

B.A. Brown University 1995, MD Brown Medical School 2001, PhD (Virology)Yale University 2008

Occupation

Former research scientist (15 years), Current Piano Teacher, Musician, & Political Organizer with the Green Party.

Family

My wife is a licensed professional counselor with Clinton Human Services. Our son Dean is 17 and our daughter Elise is 13, they both attend Guilford Public Schools.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No family in the government, my father was an aeronautical engineer and my mother a former teacher.

Age

49

Previous public office, appointive or elective

I have never held public office, but I have followed politics and read about the issues my entire life.

Why are you seeking this office?

I worked to earn my place on the ballot so that voters could vote for policies that they want but are not supported by the other candidates, including particularly including single payer health insurance, ranked choice voting, an economic bill of rights including a federal jobs guarantee, reduced military spending, and urgent climate action.
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, if I had to pick one, is the unaffordability of health insurance. The solution that I and many others advocate is single-payer universal comprehensive 'Medicare for All' with no premiums, no co-pays, and no deductibles. The profit motive has no place in health insurance: Single payer health insurance, paid for by a progressive income tax, will be LESS expensive than our current system, and cover everyone comprehensively, making healthcare a right for all Americans.

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

The most important difference between myself and the other three candidates in this race is that I am the only one that supports single payer health insurance.

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

Representative DeLauro has done much for our community, but has failed us by refusing to support the only type of healthcare reform that will make healthcare a right regardless of financial resources: single payer. Also by voting for the overblown Military budget every year, she is diverting hundreds of billions of federal dollars that should be being used to meet the urgent and needs of the lower and middle classes: healthcare, housing, childcare, and education.

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

Ranked Choice Voting has been used for over 100 years in Australia, and as a consequence they enjoy a much greater diversity of political parties in their legislature. Our two party system results from our voting system. We can easily change that, with tremendous benefits. We need to end the two-party dynamics of our politics that are toxic, polarizing, and unrepresentative. Many do not feel politically at home in either major party, and most Americans want to see third parties become viable. This requires requires Ranked Choice Voting, which we will only get when enough of us vote third party, effectively demanding it.

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

I have earned an M.D, completed a Ph.D. in virology, conducted basic medical research for 15 years, earned a 5 year grant to support my research from the National Cancer Institute, and have had seven first-author research papers published. I have a demonstrated ability to learn, synthesize, and communicate information, as is needed to be an effective member of Congress.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My father advised me to value your relationship with your wife above your own pride, sometimes swallowing your pride and showing humility is the wise thing to do. The relationship has a value that far outweighs whatever issue is in dispute.

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

Our political system and our economic system are dominated by a wealthy minority with interests that are in conflict with the public well-being. It follows that we need to change these systems, if we are to have a better outcome. My values and my policies for achieving them are best articulated with the the Green Party of the United States platform, so that is the party I have joined. I encourage all voters to align their vote with their values, as this is the only way we can truly move forward towards the realization of these shared goals.