CT Patch Candidate Profile: Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox For State Senate

TRUMBULL, CT — Election Day on Nov. 3, 2026, is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Connecticut.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the state and town.

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Candidate's Name:

Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox

What office are you seeking?

State Senate, 22nd District

Age:

47

District:

22

Party:

Democratic

Campaign website:

https://sujatact.com

Occupation:

Professor of Legal Studies, Quinnipiac University

Family:

I live with my husband Wynn Gadkar-Wilcox, a history professor at Western Connecticut State University, and our two daughters Ishika (13) and Aksita (10).

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No.

Previous public office:

I was appointed a member of the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and was previously a member of the Trumbull Ethics Commission.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running to represent the 22nd District because our communities I believe in the work that we have been doing in the past two years to expand early childhood education, reform the special education funding structure, and increase overall education funding, among many other key priorities. But there is much more to be done. In the upcoming term, I hope to continue advocating for a kind of community-based politics, in which the role of a senator is more about showing up for the community and understanding and communicating their essential needs than it is about any one given policy issue. I hope to continue to work to prevent federal overreach into state issues, to protect our constitutional rights, and to make our state more affordable for everyone.

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

I would say the quality of our education across Connecticut is the number one issue, because it impacts so many other issues, directly impacting our quality of life, workforce preparation, and the sustainability of our municipal budgets. The latter point directly impacts affordability, because if the state pays its fair share of public education costs, that relieves the burden on our local property taxes.

Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?

Fighting back against soaring energy costs and making Connecticut more affordable for everyone must be a top priority. First, I would like to point to the actions that we have already taken, including 2025's Act Concerning Energy Affordability, Access, and Accountability, which reduced excess charges on utility bills. Second, we will continue to call for increased oversight on major utility companies such as Eversource and United Illuminating. This should involve more transparent accounting from utility companies,

Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?

In my first term, I have already addressed this issue and lowered costs for families by passing the Child Tax Credit, Caregiver Tax Credit, and tuition and mortgage assistance for students, veterans, and first responders. But families are still hurting, as this question points out. Therefore, in the upcoming sessions, I will advocate for expanding tax credits for families, seniors, caregivers, and veterans. And I will ask for our municipalities to get their fair share of state aid--especially education aid--to ease the burden on local property taxpayers.

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

First, I am an incumbent State Senator, and I think my work on special education and on government oversight speaks for itself. But my broad work experience, as a Constitutional Law Professor and the director of a non-profit juvenile law education organization have served me well in that role.

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

I want my voters to know that I believe in a kind of community politics. What matters most is that I show up for people where they need me. I try hard to develop personal ties to my constituents so that they feel they can come to me with what is on their mind and what they need. I will continue to practice that kind of representation.