Patch Candidate Profile: Chris Poulos For 81st House District

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

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The 2026 election is heating up in Connecticut, and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Subscribe

Eyes are primarily focused on the Connecticut 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.

Southington Republican Timothy Wilk is challenging state Rep. Christopher Poulos, D-Southington, for the 81st House District seat.

The 81st House District is composed of most of Southington, the only town in the district.

Candidate's Name:
Chris Poulos

What office are you seeking?
State Representative

Age:
51

District:
81

Party:
Democratic; cross-endorsed by the Independent Party of CT

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

Occupation:
Teacher

Family:
My wife, Helen, and I live in Plantsville. We have two children, Molly and Andrew. My parents, Betty and Chris Poulos, also live in Southington.

Does anyone in your family work in government?
No

Previous public office:
Connecticut State Representative, 81st District (2023–present); Southington Town Council (2017–2021); Southington Library Board (2022)

Why are you seeking this office?
I am seeking a third term because I care deeply about Southington and want to continue making our town an even better place to live: for young people, families, seniors, and retirees.

To me, this job is about putting Southington first and delivering results.

Over the past four years, I have helped bring more than $14 million in state funding to our community for projects including the public library, Calendar House, Camp Sloper, and our Veterans Memorial. I have also helped secure significant new funding for our schools.

I am proud of that record, but I know there is more work to do.

I am committed to productive and civil government, and to working across the aisle whenever possible to find practical solutions.

I want to continue being an independent-minded voice for Southington and working every day to make our town and Connecticut a better place to live.

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

Families are struggling with property taxes, electricity bills, housing costs, gas prices, groceries, and health care. Seniors on fixed incomes and small businesses are feeling the pressure as well.

We need to be disciplined with taxpayer dollars, be mindful of Connecticut's fiscal guardrails, and prioritize investments that deliver real value.

I will continue supporting targeted tax relief, increasing state education funding to help ease the burden on local taxpayers, and pursuing bipartisan solutions that make it easier for families and businesses to live, work, and grow in Connecticut.

I also believe we need to address the underlying costs driving up household expenses, particularly energy and health care, rather than simply asking taxpayers to pay more.

Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?
Connecticut residents deserve relief from some of the highest electricity costs in the country.

I have made lowering energy costs a priority and will continue pushing for solutions that reduce bills without compromising reliability.

I supported bipartisan legislation to reduce the Public Benefits Charge (PA 25-173) and prevent utility companies from passing certain corporate expenses, such as lobbying and executive travel, on to ratepayers (PA 23-101).

I have also opposed proposed Eversource rate increases and joined colleagues in calling on PURA for greater scrutiny of rate increase requests and to reject excessive rate hikes.

Moving forward, I will work to increase Connecticut's energy supply, support a diverse range of reliable sources of power, including nuclear energy, while expanding opportunities for renewable energy.

We also need to address the delivery charges that make up a significant portion of electric bills and ensure that ratepayers are not unfairly burdened.

In my next term, I commit to working with other legislators to develop an energy strategy that will address these challenges and provide relief for ratepayers.

Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?
Affordability requires action on several fronts. I will continue advocating for responsible state budgets, targeted tax relief, and policies that help families, seniors, and small businesses keep more of what they earn.

I have supported bipartisan state budgets that provided income tax relief and expanded exemptions for retirement income. I have also supported increased education funding to help municipalities manage costs and reduce pressure on local property taxes.

In addition, I will continue working to lower electricity and healthcare costs, support small businesses, and protect seniors and veterans.

We need to make sure Connecticut remains a place where people can afford to raise a family, retire with dignity, and build a future.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
As State Representative, I have worked hard to deliver meaningful results for Southington and Connecticut.

Some of my accomplishments include:

• Supporting bipartisan budgets that delivered income tax relief while preserving fiscal guardrails and responsible budgeting.
• Securing over $14 million in new state funding to support Southington projects, including the public library, improvements at Camp Sloper and the Calendar House, restoration of our Veteran Monument, and other community improvements.
• Helping advance historic investments in special education and securing additional funding for local schools.
• Supporting bipartisan legislation to reduce the Public Benefits Charge (PA 25-173) and protect ratepayers from certain utility expenses (PA 23-101).
• Advocating for veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, and local businesses.
• Working with colleagues from both parties on public safety, education, and affordability issues.

Before serving in the legislature, I spent two terms on the Southington Town Council. I also bring more than two decades of classroom experience as an educator, including recognition as the 2007 Connecticut Teacher of the Year and as an Inductee to the National Teachers Hall of Fame.

These experiences have taught me how to listen, build relationships, manage competing priorities, and work toward practical solutions.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I am proud to be endorsed by the Southington Democratic Party and the Independent Party of Connecticut. I have always believed that representing our community comes before party politics.

People often ask me how I approach my job as a State Representative. To me, it's simple and old-fashioned: if you are willing to work hard and contribute to your community, you deserve a fair shot, not a free shot.

That means having the opportunity to afford a home, raise a family, educate your children, and retire with dignity.

I believe in opportunity, personal responsibility, hard work, and making sure people have a fair chance to succeed. I don't believe in a system that creates two classes of people, and I certainly don't support a system where everyone gets the same regardless of effort.

That philosophy guides how I serve. I will continue to put Southington first, work across the aisle, protect local control, support our police and first responders, strengthen public education, and stand up for seniors and veterans.

I believe public service should be about listening, working hard, treating people with respect, and delivering results. That is the kind of representative I have tried to be, and the kind I intend to continue being.