CT Patch Candidate Profile: Jessica Demmo For 146th House District

STAMFORD, 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.

Jessica Demmo, a Stamford resident, is running for State House Representative in the 146th District.

Campaign website

https://jessicademmo.com/

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

I attended Yale University, and graduated with a BA in political science and a concentration in American Government. I moved to NYC shortly thereafter and traded short corporate bonds for Salomon Smith Barney. I came back to Connecticut in 2000, and “retired” from Wall Street in 2002 when I had my oldest son.

I am the proud mother of three sons: Carter, Chase and Connor. Raising my sons has kept me busy, but has also left time for a lot of volunteering over the years. I have been particularly involved at their schools, first at First Congregational nursery school in Darien, and for the last 14 years, at the King School in Stamford. I served in a wide variety of roles in the Parents’ Association: Box tops coordinator, fundraising chair, grade rep, divisional VP.

I joined the PA executive board as the secretary, and then served as PA president in 2017-2018. Passionate about education, I am currently on the Board of Trustees at King, on the Executive Committee, and chair the governance committee. I am also an active Yale alum, formerly serving on the board of the YaleWomen Council and currently as a class agent.

Occupation

I am a mother and volunteer and have been for the last 20 years.

Family

I have three sons, Carter, Chase and Connor.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Age

48

Previous public office, appointive or elective

No.

Why are you seeking this office?

My only agenda is to well represent the interests of all the residents of Stamford, and I will work in cooperation with both sides of the aisle in order to achieve this.

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

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is affordability, and I will fight to curb state spending and lower taxes.

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

I would bring common sense, enthusiasm, great listening skills, and a real desire to effect change to the job.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

The incumbent has voted for every radical Hartford tax and spend proposal, such as HB 7424, the $43.4 billion, 2019 budget, which relied on over $2 billion in tax and revenue hikes and which increased government spending.

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

I want decisions over zoning and education to be made here in Stamford, not in Hartford. Zoning decisions should be made by people who understand their neighborhoods and the needs of their neighbors. Education is the key to opportunity, and all children should have access to quality schooling with a commitment to academic excellence. Schools and parents should work together so that each student can reach their own potential.

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

I am the mother of 3, a community volunteer and leader, and was formerly a financial executive. I am extremely organized, enthusiastic and a good problem solver.