Candidate Profile: Savet Constantine, 42nd State House District

WILTON, CT — Savet Constantine, a Democrat representing Connecticut's 42nd State House District, is seeking reelection in November.

Constantine, 56, represents Wilton and portions of Ridgefield and New Canaan. She serves as vice chair of the General Assembly's Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee and is a member of the Education and Energy and Technology committees.

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Constantine recently responded to Patch's candidate questionnaire, sharing her views on affordability, energy costs and her work in Hartford.

Candidate's Name: Savet Constantine

What office are you seeking?

State Representative

Age: 56

District: 42

Party: Democrat

Campaign website: https://savetforct.com

Occupation: State Representative

Family:

I've lived in Wilton since 2004 with my husband Craig, where we raised our two now grown and (almost) flown children.

Does anyone in your family work in government?

Just myself as state representative for our community.

Previous public office:

Current State Representative

Why are you seeking this office?

I know we can make government work better for us. A good idea turned into good legislation should make a difference in someone's life. When people raise a problem and never see an answer, it's understandable that they lose faith in the system. I ran because I want to help close that gap: to listen, follow through, and make sure the work we do in Hartford delivers real solutions for people.

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

Making our lives more affordable while responding to federal cuts and changes. Families need relief from everyday costs, property taxes, and health care premiums. Connecticut will face difficult choices about protecting the services people rely on while investing in an economy that gives people more opportunity.

For me, the questions behind those choices are always: Will this make everyday life better and more affordable? Will it help create good jobs and build a stronger future for Connecticut? And will it give towns like Wilton the flexibility to shape their growth in ways that preserve what makes them special? I plan to continue looking not only at our budget and how we're allocating money, but also at the programs we're running to ensure we're delivering real results for us.

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

Connecticut families are facing extraordinarily high energy costs, driven by national and international energy markets and made worse by federal policies that obstruct the development of new energy supplies. The Trump administration's continued attacks on clean energy projects are adding uncertainty and delaying investments that could help bring costs down. But while we cannot control federal policy or global energy markets, Connecticut can take steps now to build a more affordable and reliable energy future.

One major challenge is our aging infrastructure. We need significant investments to modernize our electric grid and strengthen its resilience against increasingly severe weather. Today, those costs are largely passed directly to ratepayers. But whether we pay through electric bills or taxes, it's coming out of the same household budget. I want Connecticut to explore using state funding to help offset these investments and reduce the burden on our monthly electric bills.

We also need to expand our energy supply. We remain heavily dependent on natural gas and oil, but residents increasingly want cleaner energy alternatives. Expanding natural gas pipelines faces significant local opposition and logistical challenges, something we must realistically consider in planning our energy future. Wind and solar offer opportunities to increase our energy supply while protecting the air and water we leave to future generations. Federal obstruction of projects like the nearly completed Revolution Wind delays much-needed additional supply, but we must continue pushing these projects forward.

My priorities are increasing energy supply through wind, solar, and battery storage, and finding more affordable ways to finance infrastructure improvements without continually driving up household costs. And of course I'm always willing to listen to good ideas as we work to lower energy costs.

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

Affordability is the number one issue facing Connecticut families, and it's at the center of my work in Hartford. When I talk with residents, I hear about high property taxes, rising energy bills, health care premiums, and concerns about whether their children will be able to afford to live in the communities where they grew up.

One of my priorities is reducing the pressure on local property taxes. Connecticut needs to increase its share of education funding, including special education costs, so that towns aren't left carrying so much of the burden. Education is the largest expense in our municipal budgets, and we need to support excellent schools without continually asking homeowners to pay more.

Energy costs are another major concern. We need to expand our energy supply, modernize our aging electric grid, and explore ways for the state to help fund infrastructure improvements rather than passing those costs directly to ratepayers.

We also need to address rising health care costs and protect access to essential services, particularly as federal funding cuts and policy changes put additional pressure on families and our state budget.

As Vice Chair of the Finance Committee, I believe we need to look closely not only at how we allocate taxpayer dollars, but also at whether our programs are delivering meaningful results. Fiscal responsibility isn't just about balancing budgets. It's about making smart investments that improve people's lives while protecting Connecticut's long-term financial stability.

And affordability is about opportunity, too. We need to strengthen our economy, support businesses, and create good-paying jobs so that young people can see a future here.

I bring two questions to my work in Hartford: Will this make everyday life better and more affordable? And will it strengthen Connecticut's job market and our future? Those questions will continue to guide my decisions.

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

My record serving as State Representative over the past two years. As Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee and a member of the Education and Energy and Technology Committees, I've worked to advance responsible budgets, strengthen education funding, protect consumers, and address the opportunities and challenges of emerging technologies.

But being an effective legislator is about more than passing laws. It's about listening, understanding how state policies affect people's daily lives, and making sure government delivers results.

I've made it a priority to be accessible and engaged in our communities by attending local events, initiating conversations on important issues, organizing public forums, and responding directly to constituent concerns. Whether working with local officials on transportation challenges, advocating for resources for our towns, or helping residents navigate state agencies, I believe in following through.

Before entering the legislature, I spent nearly two decades volunteering in our schools and community, including serving in PTA leadership roles. Those experiences taught me the value of collaboration, persistence, and bringing people together to solve problems.

My record demonstrates both my ability to do this job and my commitment to being a responsive, effective voice for our communities in Hartford.

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

Whether you have an idea for a bill, a question about what's happening in Hartford, or want to know why I voted a certain way, I always welcome hearing from you. My job as your state representative is to listen, represent our community, and bring forward good ideas that make Connecticut a better place to live. Please never hesitate to reach out. I value these conversations and the opportunity to work together.