Suffield Board of Education Veteran Enters Race for Connecticut House District 61

James Mol, a technology professional, farmer, and longtime Suffield community leader, has announced his candidacy for Connecticut House District 61 as a Democrat. Mol is seeking to represent the towns of Suffield, East Granby, and Windsor Locks in the state legislature.

"I'm excited to listen to the concerns of residents across District 61 and earn their trust," said Mol. "Our district deserves representation that is focused on practical solutions to support our schools and farms, grow our economy, improve safety and mobility on busy roadways, and deliver much needed tax relief for residents."

Mol has been an active member of the Suffield community for nearly two decades. He has served six years on the Suffield Board of Education, contributing to its Finance, Policy, and Community Engagement subcommittees. He has also served on Suffield's Charter Review Commission and the Advisory Commission for Capital Expenditures — roles that put him at the table for decisions about fiscal responsibility and governance.

Originally from Belgium, Mol relocated to the United States in 2004 and settled in West Suffield in 2008, when he purchased a 35-acre farm to prevent it from being sold to developers. The farm is now preserved. He became an American citizen in 2013, runs an IT consulting business, and raises Belgian draft horses. He lives on the farm with his wife and three children and is trilingual, speaking English, French, and Dutch.

His campaign centers on five priorities for District 61:

Education: Fighting for a permanent fix to Connecticut's Education Cost Sharing formula, which hasn't been adjusted for inflation since 2013. This year's budget injected one-time money but left the formula broken — meaning District 61 will be having the same fight in Hartford again next year.

Farming: Securing a viable future for Connecticut's working farms — not just preservation policy, but real access to land and sustainable livelihoods for the next generation of farmers.

Safety and Mobility: Delivering safer state roads and improved infrastructure for commuters and local businesses.

Economic Development: Advancing smart growth along the Bradley Airport corridor while protecting open space across the district.

Property Tax Relief: Securing structural property tax reform, not one-time fixes. This year's budget bill offers short-term municipal aid — Hartford's own documents call it "one-time assistance." The underlying formulas remain unchanged, and residents deserve more than a temporary patch applied every election year.

"After nearly two decades in this district — serving on the Board of Education, preserving farmland, and raising a family here — I know what our communities need," said Mol. "This campaign is about making Hartford work for District 61, not the other way around."

Mol plans to spend significant time in each of the district's three communities, meeting with residents and listening to their concerns throughout the campaign.

For more information, visit jamesmol.com or follow the campaign on Facebook.