Patch Candidate Profile: Gale Mastrofrancesco For 80th State House

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

WOLCOTT, CT — The 2026 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 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 Democrat Cheryl Hilton is challenging state Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, R-Wolcott, for the 80th State House District seat.

The 80th State House District is composed of parts of Southington and Wolcott.

Candidate's Name:
Gale Mastrofrancesco

What office are you seeking?
State Representative

Age:
65

District:
80th

Party:
Republican

Campaign website:
https://Galemastrofrancesco.com

Occupation:
Owner & Editor, Wolcott Community News

Family:
Husband: Angelo, married 43 years, 2 Children Michael & Danielle

Does anyone in your family work in government?
no

Previous public office:
Current State Representative for the 80th District, and former Vice Chairman of the Wolcott Town Council

Why are you seeking this office?
I believe Connecticut is at an important crossroads, and I want to continue standing up for the principles and priorities that matter to the people I represent.

Government should respect individual freedom, reward hard work, encourage personal responsibility, and create opportunities for people to succeed.

Too often, however, government has grown beyond its proper role, increasing costs, adding unnecessary mandates, and shifting more control away from families, communities, and individuals.

I believe parents should have a strong voice in decisions affecting their children, taxpayers deserve accountability for how their money is spent, and government should work for the people, not the other way around.

I am running for re-election because that work is not finished.

I want to continue representing our community, protecting individual liberties, defending parental rights, promoting affordability and opportunity, and working toward a Connecticut where families and businesses can build a future and thrive.

It has been a great honor serving as our State Representative. I remain committed to fighting for my constituents to make Connecticut a better place to live and raise a family. I have worked to bring an independent voice to Hartford, ask difficult questions, challenge policies when I believe they are wrong, and advocate for the people of Wolcott and Southington.

What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?
The number one issue that Connecticut continues to face is affordability. Families are feeling the pressure everywhere: electricity, groceries, housing, property taxes, insurance, transportation, and the overall tax burden.

Addressing affordability requires more than creating another government program. We need to examine the cost of government itself, control spending, reduce unnecessary taxes and fees, address any waste, fraud & abuse, and stop passing costs on to families and businesses.

My legislative record reflects that approach.

In 2026, I introduced HB 5096, An Act Eliminating the Highway Use Tax, which would eliminate Connecticut's highway use tax, which is driving up the cost of goods and services.

I also introduced HB 5094, An Act Exempting Social Security Benefits and Pension or Annuity Income from the Personal Income Tax. The bill would exempt Social Security benefits and pension or annuity income from Connecticut's personal income tax for all taxpayers. This was aimed particularly at making Connecticut more affordable for retirees and seniors living on fixed incomes.

I co-sponsored HB 5010, An Act Exempting Tips or Gratuities and Overtime Pay from the Personal Income Tax. It would exempt declared tips and gratuities, as well as overtime pay, from Connecticut's personal income tax, allowing working people to keep more of what they earn. I also co-sponsored HB 5008, An Act Establishing a Small Business Tax Credit, which proposed a $2,080 tax credit per full-time-equivalent employee for small businesses.

Due to decades of one-party rule by the Democrats in Hartford, they refuse to consider any of these proposals or even have a discussion through a public hearing.

Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?
Connecticut residents should not have to dread opening their electric bills. Energy affordability has become a major part of our overall cost-of-living problem.

One proposal I co-sponsored was HB 5028, An Act Removing the Public Benefits Charge from Electric Bills. The bill proposed removing the Combined Public Benefits Charge from customers' electric bills.

We should remove any unnecessary government programs that are hidden in the Public Benefits Charge. That distinction is important. When the legislature creates public policy programs, I believe those costs should be transparent.

Going forward, I would continue to scrutinize every state mandate affecting electricity rates, push for greater transparency in electric bills, examine policies that unnecessarily increase the cost of generating and delivering electricity, and support reliable energy sources that can help keep costs down.

My basic test for any energy proposal is simple: What is this going to do to the monthly electric bill of the person who has to pay for it?

Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?
See response from previous question: What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I believe my legislative record demonstrates that I am willing to do more than talk about issues.

I introduce legislation, co-sponsor legislation, offer amendments, ask difficult questions, work across the aisle when there is common ground, and stand by my positions when there is not.

That is an important part of being a legislator. My responsibility is not simply to vote yes or no. It is to examine legislation, identify problems, offer alternatives, protect taxpayers, provide oversight of government, and work with legislators from either party when doing so benefits the people I represent.

I also bring something to Hartford that cannot be learned from a legislative manual. I am a wife, mother, taxpayer, and small-business owner. I understand what it means to meet a payroll, pay bills, manage expenses, and deal with the regulations and costs imposed by government.

And one of the most important parts of my job is constituent service. When someone in Wolcott or Southington has a problem with a state agency or needs help navigating state government, my office works to help them.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I think voters should know the principles I use when deciding how to vote. I believe in limited and accountable government, economic freedom, individual liberty, the rule of law, constitutional rights, parental involvement, local control, public safety, and fair and secure elections.

I also believe voters deserve to know that I am willing to question legislation even when the stated goal sounds good. I read every bill that comes before us, and before I cast my vote, I want to know: What will it cost? Who will pay for it? Does it take authority away from parents or local communities? Does it create another mandate? Does it infringe on individual rights? And what are the unintended consequences?

My constituents may not agree with every vote I cast, but they should always know where I stand and why. I have been consistent about the principles I brought with me to Hartford, and I believe keeping your word to the people who elected you matters.