Patch Candidate Profiles 2022: Kevin Brown, 56th House District

VERNON, 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.

Kevin Brown, a Vernon, CT resident, is running for State Representative 56th House District

Campaign website

https://www.brownforvernon.com

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

B.A. Public Policy & Government, Eastern Connecticut State University; M.S. Secondary Education, University of Bridgeport

Occupation

High School Social Studies Teacher, 17 years

Family

Wife Christina, 12-year-old son Jacob, 8-year-old daughter Emilie who attend Vernon Public Schools

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None

Age

40

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Vernon Board of Education, 2017-Present

Why are you seeking this office?

Having spent 17 years teaching youth to become more civically engaged participants in their communities, I felt that I should lead by example. I want to represent the working families that make up our great community and to attempt to bring some civility and bipartisanship to the legislature. I want to work together towards finding solutions to the issues that we face, rather than placing blame.

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 lack of equitable resources, particularly in the areas of education, and access to affordable healthcare. I intend to be a tireless advocate for equitable education funding for our schools and to make healthcare more affordable by working to cap prescription drug costs.

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

I applaud any candidate that is willing to serve their community, regardless of their party affiliation. The biggest difference, however, is that my years as a classroom teacher have taught me how to listen. Working to meet the needs of a diverse class of students has prepared me to work within the legislature to serve the needs of a diverse community, such as Vernon. Teaching has taught me to have greater empathy, which is critical to understanding the needs of the people I am seeking to serve.

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

n/a

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

In addition to educational equity and affordable healthcare, I also want protect community based hospitals, such as Rockville General. Additionally, I would like to provide support for our seniors and veterans, combat rising inflation by extending discretionary tax relief, and will defend women's reproductive rights and bodily autonomy.

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

My five years as a member of the Vernon Board of Education have proven to me that I can handle this position. In my years on the Board, I have worked across the aisle and sought bipartisan solutions to the issues facing the school district. I have developed a positive working relationship with all members I have served with, which has allowed us to rise above partisan politics. I will take the same approach to the legislature in seeking to meet the needs of our state and the Vernon-Rockville community.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice I have received is to try to do more listening than speaking.

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

I firmly believe in our democracy. I believe we must work harder to listen to each other in order to find common ground. This is the only way we can find meaningful solutions to the issues we face in Vernon, the state of Connecticut, and the nation as a whole.