CT Patch Candidate Profile: Justin Perry For State Senate

NORWALK, CT — Election Day on Nov. 3, 2026, is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Connecticut.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the state and town.

Candidate's Name:

Justin Perry

What office are you seeking?

State Senator

Age:

40

District:

25

Party:

Republican

Campaign website:

https://justinperryforct.com

Occupation:

Immunologist, Cancer Biologist, Biomedical Scientist.

Family:

Wife: Colby, Children: Hayden, Ashley, and Jamie.

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No.

Previous public office:

N/A

Why are you seeking this office?

As a cancer biologist, I have dedicated my life to understanding and discovering cures for some of the most devastating human diseases. I believe the qualities that have informed my work as a scientist – compassion, drive, integrity – make me well-qualified to serve the residents of the 25th District.

I am running because I believe that the actions we take now have long-lasting consequences, positive and negative, for our children in the future. Our children, who I believe will be great sources of innovation and discovery, need us to be better fiscal stewards today for them to be able to realize their immense potential tomorrow.

The current state government’s lack of fiscal sanity, led by my opponent in the State Senate, became something I just could not ignore as a current and expecting father.

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

Affordability. My opponent has been in office for more than 20 years and CT Democrats have had state-level legislative control since 1992 with the Governor’s office since 2011. This period, despite occurring during both Democratic and Republican Presidential administrations, has brought about the 3rd highest electricity costs, 3rd highest tax burden, and 3rd highest property taxes. In return, CT Democrats have fostered the 3rd worst State in new business creation, the 7th worst State for new business friendliness, the 2nd worst unemployment rate, and the worst government debt per capita in the country.

Affordability matters because it affects everything. For instance, the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula my opponent ushered in has led to chronic underfunding of Norwalk schools. Underfunding results in too few teachers who are paid too little, the consequences of which are profound, with math and reading proficiency scores at 20% and 30%, respectively and the Norwalk school district ranked as one of the 50 worst school districts in the entire US.

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

My opponent says he will combat the actions of the current Presidential administration. Although it is true that current Federal policies have increased some costs, under my opponent’s leadership, CT Democrats have buried more than $1 billion worth of 50 miscellaneous surcharges into electric bills through the “public benefits” section of the electric bill. Collectively, the policies passed by my opponent and State Democratic supermajorities that led to high utility costs existed before the current administration and will continue to exist after.

First, we must reduce excessive spending that relies on State taxes and fees such as the Public Benefits Charge. We created an app to demonstrate how much you would save if we removed this charge (https://perry-savings-plan.base44.app/). Elimination of most of these surcharges would save households ~20% on monthly electric bill. The surcharges that are not cut would be placed into the transparent state budget, such as our nuclear power plant contracts, which are vital to energy success.

Second, I would eliminate two price surcharges disguised as renewable initiatives in the supply section of your electricity bill: RPS and RGGI. RGGI in particular is a state mandated initiative that requires Eversource to buy a set allowance of CO2. Over the past few years, the costs to buy RGGI have skyrocketed. Eversource pushes the costs onto ratepayers. Ending this would save ratepayers an extra 15% each month.

Third, I would work to directly tackle our high energy costs, for instance banning overpriced long-term energy contracts. I would also open the Killingly, CT power plant and finish the Constitution Pipeline, which would reduce reliance on expensive, dirty oil peaker plants.

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

As my answer above indicates, I agree wholeheartedly with my neighbors. The truth is that Connecticut faced affordability issues before the current Presidential administration and, without a significant change in our State's direction, will face affordability issues when the current President is out of office.

The issue of affordability has many faces but one root cause: State government policy. For instance, a major issue in the 25th District and across the State are high taxes. CT has the 3rd highest tax burden in the country, including the 3rd highest property tax rates. Worse still, property taxes went up again this year across all six Norwalk taxing districts and in Darien. Combine that with high personal property tax, high sales tax, and numerous use taxes (such as a gas tax which raises gas and heating oil prices), it becomes a nightmare for families trying to provide for their kids and for people trying to start or grow their businesses.

There are a host of problematic laws authored by my opponent and CT Democrats that drive high taxes, such as property tax exemptions for Data Centers and compliance with over 1400 unfunded, and sometimes expensive, mandates. The CT Senate and House need representatives who will be in the room and ask the difficult question, "what are the unintended consequences of this policy". If elected, I would focus much of my effort on trying to repeal or reform the policies that are leading to an ever-increasing tax burden and promote new policy that will ease these burdens.

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

Over my two decades as a scientist, I have learned to work successfully with people who I disagree with, often strongly, towards a common goal. I will bring this same approach to the CT legislature. Specifically, I will continue to advocate for my core principles while recognizing that we live in a pluralistic society that requires not only a strong defense of your ideals but also a willingness to negotiate with those of differing views to obtain at least some of your desired policy outcomes.

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

My opponent is the textbook definition of a career politician, spending his time talking about National issues while ignoring the State-level problems that affect our daily lives. He has long forgotten that he serves Norwalk and Darien.

I am not a career politician. My opponent will call this a weakness, but I believe that my unique background as a cancer biologist, and not as a politician, is a strength I would bring to the CT Senate. Specifically, I will bring common sense, strong problem-solving skills, and an ability to think through complex issues and provide creative solutions, attributes that I have gained by being a scientist.

I sincerely believe that I represent a chance for voters to move beyond National politics and instead focus on electing someone who sincerely wants what is good for our District and good for our State.