​Candidate Profile: Melissa Osborne, 16th House District

SIMSBURY, 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 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 over Republicans in the House, 97-54, and in the Senate, 24-12.

Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Democratic hopeful Melissa Osborne is running for a term in the House of Representatives, 16th House District. She is running against Republican hopeful Mike Paine.

The seat is being vacated by state Rep. John K. Hampton, D-Simsbury, who is not seeking re-election.

The House seat serves all of Simsbury.

Age: 54

Party affiliation: Democrat

Occupation: Attorney with 24 years of practice

Education: BS, Hunter College/CUNY; JD New York Law School, magna cum laude

Previous elected/appointed experience: I have served as an appointed member of the Simsbury Clean Energy Task Force and the Charter Revision Commission, and I am an elected alternate on the Zoning Commission.

Family: I have four children, ages 17-28

Campaign website: https://www.melissaforct.com

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Why are you seeking this office?

To make a substantive positive impact in the lives of our residents.

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

Making Connecticut a more affordable place to live and do business, while protecting rights lost at the federal level here in Connecticut.

I will advocate on day one to eliminate the income tax on Social Security, IRA and pension income, route out hidden and flat regressive taxes and fees on our small businesses, tackle the high cost of our utilities and health care and support common sense fiscally responsible decisions.

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

1. I have a long history of advocating for women's health care and common sense gun safety policies; 2. I am known for being an independent thinker, willing to stand up to members of my own party when I think that their direction and positions don't reflect what is best for Simsbury or our state.

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

In addition to my 24 years of practicing law and opening my own law firm while raising four children, I have worked collaboratively and effectively with members of both parties on the Simsbury Charter Revision Commission and the Zoning Commission on thorny issues. I have been an active citizen advocate at the legislature, having testified on bills concerning court reform, breast cancer screening and protection for victims of domestic violence and I have worked with legislators in both chambers to craft legislation. I know how our legislative process works and I'm ready to get to work from the start.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Measure twice, cut once.

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

As a collaboratively trained attorney and a certified mediator, my initial focus is always on working with people of good faith with opposing views to find alternate solutions, to work effectively for our common goals and the best interests of Simsbury, and to innovate beyond the boxes of party affiliation.