CT Patch Candidate Profile: Tracy Marra For State Representative

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

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

Candidate’s Name

Tracy Marra

What office are you seeking?

State Representative

District

141st House District

Campaign website

What city or town do you live in?

Darien, Connecticut

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Butler University

Occupation

2023-present State Representative, 2014-2023: Community Volunteer and Mother, 1999-2014: Pharmacist,

Family

My husband David and I have three daughters, ages 21, 19, and 15.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

No

Age

50

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running for State Representative to ensure that the voices of Darien and Norwalk are heard in Hartford. Our community deserves a state representative who listens, takes action, and works across party lines to find real solutions. I am committed to our students' education, making our roads safer, supporting local businesses, and advocating for government accountability. By focusing on the needs of our district, I will continue to represent you with integrity and dedication, making sure our community thrives.

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

While our area’s primary concerns typically revolve around zoning and housing mandates, education, and transportation, the immediate priority for many is the rising cost of energy.

Connecticut’s energy bills are among the highest in the nation, placing a heavy burden on families, businesses, and our local economy. Adding to this is the increasing Public Benefits charge, which includes payments in arrears for customers who were not disconnected during COVID as well as other charges. These growing utility bills make it harder for residents to make ends meet and for small businesses to stay competitive. Addressing this issue requires both immediate and long-term solutions.

In the short term, we need to reconvene as a legislature and reduce the burden of the Public Benefits charge. This charge operates as a hidden tax and should be addressed within the state’s general budget, alongside other taxes. By reallocating available ARPA (federal COVID relief) funds to pay down this fee and removing it from utility bills, we can provide immediate relief to residents.

Looking ahead, we must tackle Connecticut’s increasing energy demands. This means investing in cost-effective renewable energy, increasing access to natural gas, and making a stronger commitment to our most reliable green energy source—nuclear energy—which currently supplies 40% of the state’s energy needs.

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?

As a member of the Transportation Committee, addressing road safety has been a top priority. The Vision Zero Council, established in 2021, has been actively working on policies to reduce fatalities on our roads. Some of the initiatives we've implemented include wrong-way driving legislation and providing municipalities with traffic camera options. This will remain an important topic of discussion in Transportation, and I am committed to continuing my work to reduce these tragic fatalities.

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

I am focused on serving the needs of our district and ensuring that our local voices are heard in Hartford. It’s essential that our community stays informed on government issues and has the opportunity to weigh in. I am not bound by party vote—I’m here to represent the people of our district and their concerns.

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

As a pharmacist, I’ve built a strong foundation in serving communities, listening to concerns, and educating people—skills I’ve relied on throughout my term as your legislator. It’s crucial to keep our community informed about the challenges we face. As a mom in a family of five, many of the same issues that impact others in our district have affected us as well. We ride the trains, drive the roads, and use the schools.

Transparency and a responsive government should always be our goal. Through friendships, volunteering in our community, working in the schools as a parent volunteer, and constituent outreach, I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many people in Darien and Norwalk. Listening and truly understanding the issues you face—whether it's tree clearing, healthcare concerns, road construction, flooding, or barriers with local businesses—has been central to how I serve our community. It’s not just about hearing the issues; it’s about following through and finding solutions.

While I’m not always successful, and there are obstacles along the way, I never take these issues off my list. I continue to push for our government to be responsive to the needs of our community.

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

I am proud to have the endorsements of the Independent Party, Fraternal Order of Police, Connecticut Realtors, and many local leaders in our community.

In my first term as a legislator, I was honored to be named "Woman of Excellence" by the bipartisan National Foundation for Women Legislators. Additionally, I was appointed to the National Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Privacy by House leadership, including the Speaker, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader—making me the only legislator in the House to receive this appointment.

I maintain a 100% voting record in both legislative years and earned a 100% rating on the CBIA (the state’s largest business organization) report card. I also hold an "A" rating from Connecticut Against Gun Violence, based on my voting record. During my first term, I successfully passed a number of important bills. These include increasing access to opioid antagonists, expanding emergency contraception, championing a bill allowing pharmacists to prescribe oral contraception, and ensuring safer cannabis regulation. I also worked to increase the number of high school teachers by allowing part-time college professors to earn certification to teach in high schools.

Additionally, I secured critical funding for our district, bringing back important education dollars, including bond funding for Darien’s Hindley, Holmes, and Royle Elementary School construction projects.