CT Patch Candidate Profile: Kara Rochelle For 104th House District

ANSONIA, 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.

Kara Rochelle, a Ansonia resident, is running for State Representative 104th House District.

Campaign website

https://karaforct.com

Party affiliation

Democrat. I am also endorsed by the Independent Party, and the Working Families Party.

Education

I grew up in the Valley, in a hardworking blue collar family that instilled in me and my siblings the value of community, family, education, and civic duty. My sister and I were first in our family to attend college. I chose Fordham University, where I obtained a B.A. in English and completed a Masters Program in Adolescent Education. When I moved back to Connecticut I lived in Derby for several years before moving to Ansonia.

Most recently, I was a non-profit administrator before deciding to run for office. Serving my neighbors as their State Representative is the most humbling and fulfilling job. Public service is in my heart and I have a real passion for helping others and building up our community.

Occupation

State Legislator, 2019-Present

Family

My father, Allen Rochelle, 69, is a retired line worker at Sikorsky, was the Fire Chief for Seymour, and is the Emergency Response Fire Coordinator for New Haven County. My mom was a small business owner who cared for other people's children, every day. My older sister Gina, 43, is a Harvard-educated lawyer who has received numerous awards and honors in her field. My little brother Jared, 37, may be on the spectrum but that has not slowed him down. He is an Eagle Scout, recently achieved his blue belt in karate, and is active in physical fitness and his community. My little sister, Wynonna, is a regional manager for a popular hair salon company in Fairfield County. I have a tight-knit extended Italian family with many dearly loved aunts, uncles, and cousins. Our holidays are loud, loving, and full of laughter.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My grandmother was the Registrar of Voters in Seymour for 43 years. My dad was a Fire Chief in Seymour and is the Emergency Response Fire Coordinator for New Haven County, and my aunt, Rosalie Averill, is the former Chair of the Board for the Naugatuck Valley Health District and former Treasurer of Seymour. I and many of my family members also volunteer with local nonprofits.

Age

39

Previous public office, appointive or elective

State Representative, 2019-Present, Derby Board of Ethics, 2017-2018. As a legislator, I serve as an Assistant Majority Leader, as Vice Chair of the Commerce Committee, on the Higher Education & Workforce Advancement Committee, and on the Insurance & Real Estate Committee.

Why are you seeking this office?

I care deeply about the people of Ansonia and Derby and about building a strong future for our region. The middle class has shrunk over the past few decades and I'm passionate about rebuilding the middle class, helping working class people, economic development, education, and good-paying jobs. For far too long this region was not receiving the attention and resources it deserves, and I've worked hard to turn the tide.

I truly believe in public service, and that it's important to have people in government who show up, who care, who work hard and who enact policy that works for real people in our community. My priority is economic stability and a decent way of life for my neighbors. Politics may be a tough field, but it's important to me that residents know there's someone in their corner and working for them who really cares. When you fix an issue for a resident, or secure funding to move the community forward, or pass a bill that's going to make a difference, it makes it all worth it.

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

Cost of living, affordability, and economic stability. This year, I helped to deliver some of the largest tax cuts in the state's history, however, I always want to do more and steadily build on the savings we're delivering. For example, we eliminated taxes for the most retirees on their pension, annuity, and social security income and we are phasing out taxes on 401k's as well. I would like to increase the income threshold for married couples so more seniors qualify and accelerate the elimination of 401k taxes. We also cut and capped the mil rate on cars, drastically expanded who qualifies for the property tax credit when folks file their taxes, and increased the amount. I'd like to see the car tax mil rate lowered further (equalizing it across the state), and I'd like to increase the property tax credit amount further.

I also would like to see the state child tax credit we created this year made permanent and increased. While we suspended the 25-cent gas tax for most of this year, I want to see it eliminated for as long as possible, and look to see if we can afford to eliminate it permanently. Healthcare is also a huge part of affordability, and I've helped to cut and cap the cost of insulin, lower premiums for the Medicare Savings Program, and expanded affordable healthcare options with Covered Connecticut. That said, I'd like to see us create a public option for small businesses and nonprofits, which would help them to save a great deal of money for themselves and their employees.

Finally, we must seriously address housing affordability by expanding our housing stock in the state. Connecticut currently has the lowest vacancy rate in the country, driving rental prices up and harming our residents economically. We know that housing and healthcare are often two of the biggest expenses a family faces, let's tackle this head-on.

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

In 2018 my opponent voted, twice, to unlawfully decrease funding to our schools. It triggered lawsuits brought by the Board of Education and the teachers' union. Seventeen teaching positions and 24 school positions overall were forced to be eliminated due to the withheld funds, and the alders--including my opponent--hired a lawyer who questioned in the press if the schools even needed the funds. In contrast, I've delivered over $6m in increased education dollars to our local schools during my time in office.

I also have the strong endorsement of the American Federation of Teachers-CT Chapter, Connecticut Education Association, CT Congress of Community Colleges, and Association of Retired Teachers-CT. I lead on supporting our schools, and am the only candidate trusted by educators. The big difference between us is our track records on education.

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

My focus is on rebuilding the middle class, economic development in our community, and making sure everyone that works hard gets a fair shake. I am also focused on reducing the cost of healthcare, supporting small businesses, increasing education funding, expanding programming for our kids and young adults, access to higher education and technical job training, and growing good paying jobs in the state. I have delivered major state investment in strategically important areas such as the Ansonia Brass/Farrell site, the Rt. 34 widening project, increased service on the Waterbury Rail line, and two brand new stations--to attract developers and help us reach the next phase in economic redevelopment of this region. Doing so will help to grow grand lists and give our two cities the opportunity to lower taxes or expand local amenities for residents. I also lead on policy issues regarding manufacturing and the fire service.

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

In my first two terms, I have helped deliver record high education funding, record high town aid, and the largest state investments in economic redevelopment in generations. This includes over $6m in new education funds for our schools, a tripling of town aid, and over $11m in state funds committed for the redevelopment of the Ansonia Brass/Farrell site in downtown Ansonia.

Similarly, I've helped advocate for the ground breaking of the $18m Rt. 34 widening project in Derby; and I have secured tens of millions for increased service on the Waterbury Rail Line and two new stations, which are in design right now. I have also delivered major funds for senior housing, our fire departments, restaurants recovering from the pandemic, and our nonprofits--which include Team Inc., BH Care, the Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence, and the Parent Child Resource Center. I have also been appointed as an Assistant Majority Leader and Vice Chair of the Commerce Committee.

Important in these divisive political times, I was selected as one of 50 state legislators from across the country to participate in the National Legislative Leaders Foundation's Emerging Leaders Program. This program focuses on the qualities that good leaders must embody, regardless of political affiliation, to build strong teams, create understanding, and advance forward for the common good.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"Use your voice and help others, don't be afraid to speak up." - My mom

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

Public service is a way of life and a passion. I believe democracy is the best form of government in the world, and in order for it to work, we need to work together--even when it's difficult--to find pragmatic and thoughtful solutions. I'm known at the capitol for my passion for Ansonia and Derby. And I will never stop fighting for the hardworking people of our community.