CT Patch Candidate Profile: Rachel Chaleski For State Rep

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

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

Candidate’s Name: Rachel Chaleski

What office are you seeking? State Representative

District: 138th House District

Campaign website

What city or town do you live in? Danbury

Party affiliation: Republican, Independent

Education: Biology degree from Concordia College

Occupation: Homemaker, Legislator

Family: Happily married to Carl for 21 years; Proud mother of two children, Benjamin and Allison; dog Luke and cats Leia and Obi.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

Yes, I was elected to the Danbury Board of Education in 2017 and served for 5 years, including as Board Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary.

Age: 45

Why are you seeking this office?

I’m running for re-election to build upon my record of working across party lines to advance fiscally responsible and sustainable policy that will help to make our state more affordable, grow our economy and ensure our community remains an attractive place to live, work, raise a family, and retire. I will continue to be the hardworking, bipartisan leader we need in the State House – working to hold the line on any new or increased taxes, advocating for our children and our schools, and making the safety and prosperity of our community my number one priority.

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

I believe the top issue facing the residents of Connecticut is affordability. The cost of living, whether it’s the grocery bill or electric rates, keeps going up. I supported a bipartisan budget that included a tax break for working families during my first term and advocated for tax exemptions on retirement income. More can be done. We should eliminate the Highway Use Tax, which increases the cost of goods. My opponent not only voted for the tax but testified against its repeal after being voted out of office. I would also support a proposal to make the sales tax exemption on children’s clothing a year-round program. I will fight for utility reforms, putting consumers first.

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?

Wrong-way driving is one contributing factor to deaths on our roadways. The legislature can expand a measure we passed in 2023 about the installation of wrong-way driving detection and prevention systems. In order to improve road safety, now is the time to act on long-standing transportation goals. Connecticut has been studying an expansion of Interstate 84 for years. The highway is the gateway to Connecticut and experiences massive congestion during rush hours. By making exit and entrance ramp improvements and expanding the highway to a consistent three lanes from the state border to exit 8, Connecticut would not only reduce congestion, but also increase safety.

I also proposed restoring qualified immunity, to send a message that Connecticut has the backs of the men and women who protect our communities every day. My opponent was in office in 2020 and voted for the ‘police accountability’ bill removing qualified immunity. There is a correlation in timing between the increase in road deaths and the bill’s passage. Current law prohibits a police officer from pulling over a vehicle if they observe a driver using or smell marijuana coming from the vehicle. I supported proposed amendments that would have allowed law enforcement officers to stop motor vehicles for the sole purpose of a cannabis violation, especially if there are kids in the car.

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

The main difference between me and my opponent is that residents have now seen my work as a bipartisan and effective leader in Hartford on their behalf, putting the interests of our district above partisan politics even when it means going against the grain at times. I do not take this job lightly. I am not interested in frivolity, like the antics at our State Capitol that caught media attention during the pandemic. My opponent also showed poor judgment when he spread hate and division on social media at a time when both sides of the aisle were condemning violence by publicly mocking the attempted assassination of a former President. As the Independent candidate, I pledged to support free and fair elections and the rule of law. As a candidate for the Working Families Party, my opponent pledged NOT to join the Democrat’s Moderate Caucus. Instead, he was a member of the far-left Progressive Caucus and Cigar Caucus; while I am a member of the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus and Bipartisan Animal Welfare Caucus.

When hundreds of people once again came to our state Capitol to testify in support of a Public Charter School, instead of ignoring their voices, I pushed for a vote on funding for the school, which was approved by the State Board of Education in 2018. Some students would be better served in a smaller environment to complement the career academy model but cannot afford a high-cost alternative such as private school. The argument that the public school system would “lose” Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding is outdated due to ECS formula revisions. Under current law, Alliance Districts are permanently held harmless from decreases in ECS funding. Charter schools can only exist in the lowest performing districts with the goal of raising student achievement and have existed for years in cities like Bridgeport, Hartford, Manchester, New Haven, New London, Norwich, Norwalk, Stamford and Waterbury. Danbury is the only large city in the state without one, while Norwalk recently received funds to open its second charter school and New Haven received funds to open its seventh.

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

My record over the last two years has shown that I am up to the task of being a strong advocate for our district in Hartford. For two consecutive years, I achieved a 100% voting record, attended every public hearing, and positively contributed to the debate on bills that impact my constituents. I also earned a 100% pro-business voting record by the state’s most prominent business organization, Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA). My voting record was also recognized by CT Against Gun Violence with an “A” grade. I was also honored as a 2024 Children’s Champion by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance for my work in crafting a bill that passed unanimously and will bolster the early childcare sector. Meanwhile, I’ve worked to keep open communication through email updates, surveys, web posts, Facebook updates, and in-person coffee hours.

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

I serve on the Connecticut General Assembly’s Appropriations, Education, and Transportation Committees. I have been endorsed by the Republican Party, the Independent Party of Connecticut, the CT Fraternal Order of Police, and the advocacy group National Federation of Independent Businesses. I became involved in the schools when my children were young by successfully advocating for policy change at the Western Connecticut Academy for International Studies (AIS) as part of the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI). This was the springboard to my running for the Danbury Board of Education. Every year I served on the BOE, our request for an acceleration of the ECS formula seemed to fall on deaf ears. I ran for higher office to have an even greater impact on our community and to ensure that Danbury receives its fair share of state funding. I am proud to have successfully shepherded more education dollars and municipal aid to Danbury than ever before. It has been a true honor serving the residents of Danbury’s 138th District, and I hope to continue to build upon the progress achieved in just a short amount of time and continue to leverage the good working relationships I’ve made in Hartford.