CT Patch Candidate Profile: Michelle Coelho For State Senator

DANBURY, CT — Election Day on Nov. 5 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Danbury, Ridgefield and New Fairfield.

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

Candidate’s Name: Michelle Coelho

What office are you seeking? State Senate

District: 24th Senate District

Campaign website

What city or town do you live in? Danbury

Party affiliation: Republican and I am also endorsed by the Independent party

Education: New York Institute of Technology- BA Interior Design

Occupation: 30 years as a small business owner in Residential Construction Development

Family: I have been happily married to Michael Coelho for 20 years. Michael is a man of Italian and Portuguese descent, and we have two wonderful children together: Christopher, 18, and Kate, 14. I also have a son from a previous marriage, Taylor Williams, who is 26. I raised Taylor as a single mother; I’ve faced the challenges that many parents in our district know all too well, balancing work and family and advocating for the unique needs of a child with special requirements. This personal experience has given me a deep understanding of the importance of accessible education and inclusive opportunities for all children, regardless of their background or other challenges..

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? Michael Coelho, my husband serves as Councilmen at Large for the Danbury City Council. Michael is also the Danbury Republican Town Committee Chairman.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

I have served the city of Danbury on the Board of Education for 4 years. I have served as Chair of the Sites and Facilities Committee, I was the Chair of the Community Relations Committee, I serve on the Policy Committee, Superintendent's Evaluation Committee, and I helped formulate the creation of the Curriculum Committee. I also served on the DABC Committee , and the Danbury Collective Absenteeism Board.

Age: 55

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running for State Senate because I believe that Connecticut families deserve a better future, one where our streets are safe, our businesses thrive, and our families aren’t forced to choose between buying food and paying their bills. As a first-generation Cuban American, I grew up understanding the value of freedom and the importance of standing up against government overreach. I want to bring those values of freedom, opportunity, and accountability to our State Senate and make the American Dream a reality for every CT resident.

Over the past few years, I’ve seen firsthand how bad laws passed by our State Senate have made life harder for hardworking families in our district. Our families are struggling with record high Energy prices, grocery bills, and crippling taxes. Meanwhile, our State Senate has been making our communities less safe by limiting our law enforcement while empowering lawbreakers. As a mother of three, I understand the struggles our families are facing and I want to be part of the solution.

I am running for State Senate to restore common-sense policies that protect our neighborhoods, improve our schools, support local businesses, and provide much-needed relief to our overburdened taxpayers. My goal is to ensure that the people of our district have a Senator who works for them, not special interests. I will fight to make Connecticut affordable and safe for future generations.

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

The biggest issue facing Connecticut right now is affordability. Families across our community are struggling with the rising cost of energy and grocery prices and some of the nation's highest tax rates. Years of poorly crafted policies by the Democratic leadership and our current State Senator have made our state unaffordable for far too many families. People are leaving Connecticut because they can no longer afford to stay, and that’s simply unacceptable.

As a State Senator, I will work tirelessly to create a more affordable Connecticut. This begins with cutting wasteful government spending and eliminating unnecessary administrative expenses that drive up taxes. We must also lower the cost of doing business in Connecticut by reducing over regulation and needless government red tape. Doing this will help small businesses grow, create jobs in Connecticut, and provide needed relief for our job creators.

I also plan to prioritize the protection of essential services for seniors, veterans, and those with disabilities. By cutting wasteful spending in other areas of our state budget, we can better provide support for some of our most underserved populations. By implementing common sense budgeting and by reducing burdens on businesses and families, we can help Connecticut regain its status as a place where people want to live, work, and raise their children.

There have been an alarming number of deaths on Connecticut's roadways. Is there anything from a legislative standpoint that can be done to address that?

The rising number of fatalities on Connecticut’s roadways is deeply concerning, and it’s a clear indication that more needs to be done from a legislative standpoint to take meaningful action to reverse this dangerous trend.

First and foremost, we need to revisit the laws that have weakened public safety in recent years. Over the past six years, changes to criminal penalties and restrictions placed on law enforcement have led to more reckless behavior on our roads and have had a sizable impact on the rising number of deaths on our roadways. As State Senator, I will be an advocate for our law enforcement, giving them the tools they need to succeed, not making their jobs harder.

In addition, I will push for stronger penalties for those contributing to the issue through dangerous driving behaviors like drunk driving, speeding in work zones, and street takeovers. Education and youth programs are also key in promoting safe driving habits from a young age. By investing in preventative measures and ensuring that our roadways are properly maintained and policed, we can make Connecticut’s roads safer for everyone.

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

The primary difference between my opponent and me is our vision for the future of Connecticut and the values we bring to public service. My opponent has a troubling record of supporting policies that increase government control, opposing local education choice and accepting awards from the CT Communist Party. As a first-generation Cuban American whose family fled communism, I understand the real dangers of unchecked governmental control and how it can erode personal freedoms. I am committed to protecting those freedoms by fighting for smaller government and local control.

On education, I believe in giving parents the power to choose the best learning environment for their children, whether that be public, private, technical, or charter schools. My opponent, on the other hand, has consistently opposed efforts to bring a charter school to Danbury, leaving families with fewer options. I will fight to bring that charter school to our city and give our children the opportunity to thrive in smaller, more personalized settings. When it comes to public safety, I have taken a firm stand in supporting law enforcement. I believe in holding criminals accountable and supporting our police to ensure safer streets for our families.

I support restoring qualified immunity for our law enforcement thereby allowing our officers the freedom to do their jobs as effectively as possible. My opponent has supported policies that have weakened public safety and made it more difficult for police to do their jobs, tying their hands with unnecessary government red tape and making our communities less safe.

Economically, I am focused on reducing the cost of living and helping small businesses thrive. Despite record-high inflation, my opponent has supported policies that have further driven up the cost of energy, groceries, and gas, and burdened small businesses with high costs of operation and taxes. I believe in cutting taxes, unnecessarily restrictive government policies, and, allowing the market to dictate wage rates, which will help small businesses, the backbone of our community, grow and prosper.

Finally, I believe in the woman's right to choose the best medical decisions for her and her family with the guidance of a medical care provider. The abortion laws are codified in our state statute, protecting a woman's right to choose, which I fully support.

In summary, my opponent’s policies are out of step with the needs of our district. I offer a different path, one that prioritizes you, the voter, not special interest groups.

As your voice in Hartford, I will fight tirelessly for affordability, local control, public safety, and educational choice while protecting individual freedoms and ensuring that Connecticut remains a place where families can thrive.

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

My extensive experience as a small business owner, public servant, and advocate for education has prepared me well for the responsibilities of serving as your State Senator. Over the past 30 years, I’ve successfully managed my own business in residential development. This experience has given me a deep understanding of how to work within a diverse community, balance budgets, and make tough but necessary decisions for our community. I look forward to putting these skills to work for our community as your voice in Hartford as we tackle the challenges facing Connecticut.

As a member of the Danbury Board of Education, I believe parents know what is best for their children. I have consistently advocated for school choice and worked to ensure that parents have options for educating their children. This includes pushing for the establishment of a charter school in Danbury, which will give families a much-needed alternative in a district with one of the largest high schools in the state. My work serving our community on the Board of Education demonstrates my ability to work within government to bring about positive change for our community.

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

Diversity isn’t just a talking point for me; it’s a lived experience that has shaped my entire life. As a first-generation Cuban American, I come from a family that fled communism in search of freedom and opportunity. My parents, Juan and Liana Anduiza, risked everything to escape Cuba, and the values they instilled in me: resilience, hard work, and a deep love for freedom are values I carry with me every day.

My experiences in life give me a deep connection to the diversity of our district, which is home to people from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. My experiences in life as a small business owner, a member of the Danbury Board of Education, and a proud member of a diverse and loving family reflect my belief in empowering every individual, no matter where they come from or what challenges they face.

My household represents the blended community that is Connecticut’s 24th District. It’s this understanding of different cultures, economic backgrounds, perspectives, and needs that drives me to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table. I know that our strength as a community comes from our diversity, and I am committed to advocating for policies that uplift all families.