CT Patch Candidate Profile: Hubert Douglas Delany For 144th 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.

Hubert Douglas Delany, a Stamford resident, is running for State Representative in the 144th House District.

Campaign website

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

Defense Information School, U.S. Army Non-Comissioned Officer Academy, U.S. Army Airborne School

Occupation

Mass Communications Specialist for the U.S. Army - 7+ years

Family

Yes

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

28

Previous public office, appointive or elective

State Representative - Stamford, 144th District - Feb 2022 to Present

Why are you seeking this office?

As a Stamford native, I’ve experienced the vitality of The City That Works my entire life, and when I enlisted in the United States Army in 2015 I knew that’s what I was fighting for - our community. I have served our nation ever since, witnessing countless frozen and unworkable situations across the globe be repaired through thoughtful and intentional leadership. When I finally returned home - to a Stamford where families were being pushed out because of rising costs, small businesses couldn’t afford to stay open, and school buildings were falling apart - I knew it was my time to take thoughtful and intentional action. On February 1st, 2022 I was sworn in at our capitol as the State Representative of Connecticut's 144th District and I promised to do my utmost to uphold our faith in our constitution and in our government.

In the months since, I've been able to work with lawmakers, community leaders and residents to uphold and expand my campaign promises of Investing in Education, Lowering the Cost of Living, Revitalizing Our Economy, Protecting Our Seniors and, Fighting for Veterans and First Responders. I am proud of the ways we've been able to create change in Stamford, but the work is not done. Luckily I know, my experiences as a Son of Stamford and America have given me the tools to continue to make change.

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 a rising cost of living , and this is what I intend to do about it:

It is imperative that we take an intentional stance against inflation and rising costs in Stamford. We have made large strides in securing the state’s largest ever tax relief, $7 million for use by non-profits, lowering the business tax rate for unemployment insurance, and establishing the JobsCT program, but there is still a ways to go.

I believe in being a “Practical Progressive”: Creating fiscally responsible solutions to the socially ethical responsibilities of a well managed government. We must invest in stronger policies that address the rising cost of housing, prescription drug costs, affordable access to transportation, and boosting access to employment for middle class individuals and working families.

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

Growing up in such a civic minded family, community work and activism have always been a big part of my life. As the current State Representative for the 144th District, I am proud to highlight some of the biggest wins I’ve been able to make for Stamford since taking office earlier this year:

• Secured $204 million for Stamford school construction projects over the next 25 years, as well as expanding eligibility for the School Breakfast Program, and our debt free community college programs
• Extended the Free Bus Service Program and cut the car tax
• Cut property taxes for retirees
• Ended the pension and annuity tax
• Created the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act to support those who need access to abortion health care in CT

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

Throughout my time in office, I have fulfilled and continued to expand on my campaign promises of Investing in Education, Lowering the Cost of Living, Revitalizing Our Economy, Protecting Our Seniors, Expanding Affordable Access to Healthcare, and Fighting for Veterans and First Responders.

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

As we move into this new election season, I wanted to highlight some of the initiatives I've helped to created or expand in Stamford!

Investing in Education - From children to seniors, I've worked to drive meaningful and impactful investments in Stamford's schools, students and teachers. Thus far I've:

• Secured $204 million on infrastructure for Stamford schools over the next 25 years
• Expanded eligibility requirements to ensure more districts have access to the federal School Breakfast Program
• Expanded our debt free community college program

Lowering the Cost of Living - For many of us, Stamford has been our home for generations. But rising costs have made keeping Stamford our home difficult. To combat this I've:

• Required a local fair rent commission be created in all towns with 25K+ residents
• Extended the Free Bus Service Program and cut the car tax

Revitalizing Our Economy - Increasing economic growth and stability in Stamford is a top priority. Thus far I've:

• Secured $7 million for the use by non-profits and organizations
• Established the JobsCT program
• Lowered the business tax rate for unemployment insurance
• Increased funding to minority-owned businesses

Protecting Our Seniors - Stamford is our community and that means we look out for each other. When it comes to seniors, I've been able to:

• Cut property taxes for retirees
• Ended the pension and annuity tax
• Capped prescription drug costs and reduced the cost of insulin

Expanding Health Care Initiatives - COVID-19 exposed a lot of cracks in health care access across the country. To combat this in Stamford, I've:

• Created the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act to support those who need access to abortion health care in CT
• Expanded screening opportunities for breast and cervical cancer
• Secured free menstrual products in most public buildings

Fighting for Veterans and First Responders - As a U.S. Army Sergeant, I am passionate about supporting those in the line of duty. thus far I've:

• Increased special relief funding for front line workers who worked through COVID-19
• Secured funding for firefighters who leave service with a cancer diagnosis + increasing equipment requirements

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The key to being a good leader is listening four times and speaking once

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

It doesn’t matter to me whether you’re conservative or liberal. I believe that everybody deserves the dignity of a conversation, and all of us deserve a seat at the table.