WALLINGFORD, CT — The 2026 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 Connecticut gubernatorial election, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs. All five of Connecticut's congressional seats 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.
Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.
Tom Laffin, 46, of Wallingford, is running for election to the House of Representatives in the 85th District, representing Wallingford.
Party:
Republican
Campaign website:
Occupation:
Finance Associate/IT Manager
Family:
Tracy (Fiancee) and blended family: Jack (20), Abby (18), Maddy (21), Kayti (33)
Does anyone in your family work in government?
Tracy (fiancée) is a police officer for the town of Cheshire.
Previous public office:
Town Council (2012-Present; Vice Chair 2014-2024), Board of Education (2006-2010); other previous offices include Inland and Wetlands Commission
Why are you seeking this office?
Connecticut's too expensive to vote for the same, so vote for a change. I'm running for state representative to bring a different way of thinking to Hartford and fight against the politics that made us so unaffordable.
We need to do something different. We need to make Wallingford first. We need to bring Wallingford to Hartford, not just to receive, but to lead.
My opponent has talked about how Wallingford deserves a representative that will not just talk the talk but walk the walk. And that's 100% true. I will actually go one step further and say Wallingford doesn't just deserve that, but that Wallingford needs that and that candidate is me.
24 years…my entire adult life has been serving this town. Four years on the Board of Education. 15 years on the Town Council, 10 of which as the vice chair. I've been at all the tables and in all the rooms where it happened to make Wallingford what it is. Between the best place to retire, one of the safest towns in the state, protecting our electric rates by maintaining local control over our own destiny, and all the programming and the parks that we have, I will be Wallingford's voice in Hartford, not Hartford's voice in Wallingford.
My fiancée and I were born and raised in Wallingford. And then our children were born and raised in Wallingford. I've been to the soccer games, I've raced to the scout meetings, I've then tried to figure out how to get dinner on the table and pay the bills. You've seen me at church, you've seen me downtown, you've seen me at the grocery store on a busy Sunday afternoon, and you've also seen me at the grocery store at 11 o'clock during the week because we can't figure out when else to do it, all while trying to figure out how to pay the bills.
I'm already one of you. I hope you'll come with me and stand with me and vote for me to go to Hartford and ensure that Wallingford is first and no longer is just a source of money for Hartford to redistribute to other towns.
What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?
Affordability is without a doubt the biggest issue facing Connecticut residents. To best solve that, the state needs to reduce its hold and taxes on the different drivers in our state from childcare and education, to farming and electric rates. We need to reduce our spending and when we do bring in a surplus through taxes, we need to stick to the financial guardrails written by prior legislatures that prevent money being handed out for favors like it recently has.
Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?
Fortunately in Wallingford, we have our own Electric Division and the cheapest rates in the state if not New England. But we are not immune from the dangers and failures of Eversource taking advantage of our state by charging too much and giving away their extra money to choice partners rather than reducing rates. The state needs to reduce or entirely remove the taxes and fees they place on the people that create special funds for Eversource to spend as they wish. The demand to live in Wallingford is so high because of our electric rates that our elderly neighbors are not able to downsize and our young adult children are not able to purchase starter homes because they are being out bid by way over asking cash offers of people dying to get into town.
Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?
Affordability is without a doubt the biggest issue facing Connecticut residents. To best solve that, the state needs to reduce its hold and taxes on the different drivers in our state from childcare and education, to farming and electric rates. We need to reduce our spending and when we do bring in a surplus through taxes, we need to stick to the financial guardrails written by prior legislatures that prevent money being handed out for favors like it recently has.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have served Wallingford my entire adult life. After serving 15 years on the Town Council, 10 of which as Vice Chairman, I have been in all of the rooms where it has happened to make Wallingford the oasis it is today in this state of reasonable taxes, low electric rates, and one of the leaders in public safety. We are also a major commercial destination and are enjoying the best age of restaurants we have ever had. Whether it was reworking blight laws, ensuring non-profit community partners were able to achieve their missions with the support they needed, or working with the Electric Division so they had the authority they required to purchase our electricity in a way that best suits our citizens, I have been there.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I have lived in the 85th for my entire life. I grew up here and raised my family here. My fiancée and I have had children in the Wallingford Public Schools for 28 years. Our family owns several homes here. We have and continue to live full lives here.
You've seen us cheering at our kids' games, clapping at school events, discussing ideas at PTO meetings, volunteering our time to important organizations in town, and supporting the massive array of community events in Wallingford and throughout the state.
Which has all led to why.
Why I have served our town for over fifteen years as a Town Councilor, ten of those as Vice Chairman.
Why I have served on the Board of Education,
Why I am involved in a long list of community organizations.
Why I support countless causes here in town.
These credentials are important in this election because you deserve to have a representative in Hartford who relates to you and is focused full-time on your issues, your concerns, and your needs.
If elected, I will make the following commitments to you:
1. I will put Wallingford First every single day.
2. I will put policy above politics.
3. I will put local issues above national ones, because the government that governs best is the one closest to the people.
4. I will focus on families needs and values because I have been there and understand what they are.
5. I will focus on the economic issues that directly impact the cost of living in our state, our town, and our district.
6. I will work hard every day to protect the traditions, heritage and history that make our town great.
7. I will be present and accountable to you every single day.
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