2024 Patch Candidate Profiles: Geoffrey Luxenberg, State Rep

MANCHESTER, CT — Geoffrey Luxenberg is running for a seat in the Connecticut House of Representatives in 2024.

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Candidate’s Name: Geoffrey Luxenberg

What office are you seeking? State Representative

District: 12th House District

Campaign website

What city or town do you live in? Manchester

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: Bachelors Degree, Political Science

Occupation: State Legislator, Realtor, Small Business Owner. I have been a licensed realtor with Century 21 since 2008, I have served in the Legislature representing Manchester for 10 years (5 terms), and I have been a small business owner for 13 years

Family: I am married to Jessica Luxenberg and proud dad to 3 children, Mack (19), Zamira (14) and Zoey (10).

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

Yes. I served on the Manchester Board of Education in 2007 and represented the 12th House district (Manchester) from 2011-2015 and again from 2019-Present. I have been a Deputy Majority Leader, Housing Committee Chair, and served as Majority Caucus Chair.

Age: 41

Why are you seeking this office?

I love Manchester and I love the policy work of trying to make the lives of people in our community and across the State better. We have had a lot of success delivering the largest state income tax cut in CT history, eliminating state taxes on social security for most seniors, and renovating all of our schools in our district "like new" with significant state investment to protect Manchester property taxpayers, but there is so much more work we can do to reduce the costs of everyday life like groceries, electricity and housing and to continue to invest in the beauty, diversity, present and future of Manchester.

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

The cost of housing, both for renters and home buyers, is too expensive and we don't have enough new housing production. I wrote and passed bipartisan legislation which includes 800 million in housing investments for workforce housing, affordable housing, and support for first time home buyers, but we need to do more to address specifically the costs for renters who are hurting economically right now. I have proposed a RSA (rental savings account) modeled after a HSA (health savings account) that actually looks at altering the tax code to provide economic relief to people who are working hard and playing by the rules but for whom the cost of their rental housing has out-paced their wages. Long term the solution is to make it more affordable to build more housing and increase supply, which also guarantees great jobs for Manchester residents. Addressing climate change and problems in our healthcare system are also extremely important priorities, as is defending women's reproductive health-care and freedom.

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?

I support state investments in new technology which make our roadways safer and some of that is already being deployed in terms of wrong-way driving signs to reduce the number of wrong-way road fatalities, as well as making sure public sector workers including law enforcement have good pay, good pensions, good health-care and that going into the professions that are focused on keeping our community safe is an attractive option for good people to pursue and stay in those careers. The legislature votes on contracts for many of the workers whose job it is to keep our roadways and our communities safe, and so recognizing and valuing their work by voting for contracts that treat them fairly is one critical part of the job of being a State Legislator.

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

I am a proud Democrat and supporter of Kamala Harris, my opponent is a Republican and supporter of Donald Trump/MAGA. I have 11 years of public service experience and have worked in a bipartisan fashion to deliver resources for the things that matter for Manchester, like hundreds of millions to fix crumbling concrete foundations throughout Manchester and Eastern CT, saving Whiton Library from closing and making it ADA accessible and funding newly renovated schools including Bowers, Waddell and Buckley. We have also delivered tax relief for seniors, the middle class and veterans and 3 million dollars for a completely transformed Center Springs Park. I voted for and helped defend a woman's right to choose in CT and helped deliver strong gun safety legislation. I don't know where the Republican candidate stands on those issues but I know he stands with Trump who is anti-gun safety, anti-women's reproductive freedom, and wants to abolish the Department of Education so I can only infer his positions by choosing to run for office as a Trump ally.

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

Delivering hundreds of millions of dollars to fix crumbling concrete foundations, the largest state aide package and investments for Manchester schools in CT history, the largest state income tax cut for the middle class in CT history, and standing up for Manchester's diverse community and our values on women's rights, civil rights, climate change and gun safety. I also reached across the aisle and negotiated, authored and passed one of the most important bills that was signed into law in 2023 to start to deal with our housing crisis. There is much more work to do to help lower everyday costs for Manchester families.

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

Early in person voting starts October 21st at Mahoney Rec Center 110 Cedar Street from 10AM to 6PM in Manchester and not enough people are aware they can vote early in person because it is new. I would be honored to earn your support.