CT Patch Candidate Profile: Ellen Fox For State Representative

NAUGATUCK, CT — Election Day on Nov. 5, 2024, is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Connecticut.

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

Ellen Fox, 59, a Democrat who is also endorsed by the Independent Party of CT, is running for state representative of the 131st House District.

What city or town do you live in?

Oxford.

Education

THE CAMPAIGN SCHOOL AT YALE, Yale Law School New Haven, CT Summer 2024 UCONN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, CT Information Technology Institute Stamford, CT Registrar of Voters Certification Program August 2023 SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY, College of Education and Health Professions Fairfield, CT Professional Certificate in Administration - Educational Leadership May 2002 FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY, Graduate School of Education Fairfield, CT Master of Arts. Foundations, Curriculum & Teaching May 1995 BOSTON UNIVERSITY, College of Liberal Arts Boston, MA Bachelor of Arts. Economics & Political Science Scarlet Key Society Inductee May 1987.

Occupation

Retired Educator and current Registrar of Voters, Town of Oxford, 2022 to present.

Family

My parents are deceased. I am presently single and close with my sister and cousins who live nearby.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Previous public office, appointive or elective?

Elected Registrar of Voters, November 2022.

Why are you seeking this office?

Albert Schweitzer said, “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It’s the only thing.” As State Representative I would lead by example, with a bipartisan approach, on behalf of everyone in the 131st District and that is why I was endorsed by both the Democratic Party and the Independent Party. I know it’s essential to listen, be respectful, and build relationships with others to accomplish goals. People from all sides must collaborate to produce results. Effective leaders embrace transparency thereby fostering trust in government. I welcome a dialogue with constituents encouraging them to ask questions and share ideas about issues that are important to them.

I will lead with integrity and seek sensible solutions. I promise to be a voice for ALL constituents. Smaller towns such as ours must compete with large cities for allocation of resources. I will speak up and advocate for the funding we need especially when it comes to unfunded mandates that place economic pressure on our municipalities. I will work to stimulate local economies without disrupting the quality of life we enjoy. Fiscal responsibility is the key, and hard-working people in small towns deserve honest, responsible budgets and stability. It means paying attention to what is needed and curbing wasteful spending through a pragmatic, targeted plan that will bring essential funding to the 131st.

I am prepared for the demands of the position and would be honored to be elected. My past experience, along with my innate enthusiasm, solid moral compass, and eagerness to accept responsibility make me ready to take on this role. A woman has never held the 131st assembly district seat, and it’s time for a change!

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

As State Representative of the 131st District, I will prioritize the fiscal issues that are unique to small towns. Through targeted advocacy in Hartford I will address affordability and cost of living challenges. Smart legislation surrounding basic bread and butter issues that directly affect people's daily lives: taxes, jobs, utility rates, infrastructure, healthcare, and education will bring about fiscal responsibility.

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 deaths on highways is caused by, but not limited to, speeding, distracted and reckless driving. Legislative efforts should focus on increased enforcement and public awareness campaigns. The legislature can and should update the Hands-Free Law to require complete hands free mobile phone use. In addition, to deter distracted and reckless driving there should be higher fines and stiffer penalties, especially for repeat offenders. Younger drivers disproportionately cause a higher number of fatal and serious crashes. Driver education should be required and include training in handling difficult driving situations, as well as the serious consequences of distracted or reckless driving.

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

My opponent and I have vastly different definitions of public service. In my view, public service is defined by hard-work, collaboration and speaking out for what I believe is right. During the pandemic, I created the Meal-on-Me program that provided free meals to those on the front lines and helped struggling restaurants stay in business. Over the years, I have volunteered in service to Dorothy Day House, Spooner House, the children’s summer food program at the local food bank, our community scholarship program, and Seymour Pink. While my opponent posed for numerous photo ops after the recent Flood of 8/18, I rolled up my sleeves to get work done. I collected and distributed food at the Seymour Oxford Food Bank, kept the community up to date by researching and sharing important information on social media, volunteered my time to help at the all-day Quarry Walk/TEAM Inc Music Festival fundraiser to benefit flood victims and worked to clean up sites that were ravaged by the raging flood waters.

Furthermore, my opponent was appointed Chair of the “Flood Finance Committee” but failed to ever hold a single meeting. I value practical policy solutions not political sound bites and grandstanding. I am committed to positive, forward-looking solutions that address the real issues people are facing: reducing energy costs, ensuring affordable workforce housing and guaranteeing a quality education for our children.

My focus has always been on bringing people together and finding answers that work for everyone. I believe people are tired of divisive politics. I find that success comes from listening to all perspectives and working across the aisle to deliver real results. I’m excited that our campaign has been building a broad coalition of support from Unaffiliated, Independent, Democratic and Republican voters throughout the 131st and I'm proud to be endorsed by both the Democratic Party and the Independent Party of Connecticut.

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

Throughout my career, I’ve dedicated myself to serving the public, whether as a teacher, a registrar of voters, or a community advocate. My work has always focused on making life better for others, and I believe this deep commitment to service is exactly what our towns need in Hartford. As a former teacher, I understand the complexities of our education system and the importance of investing in the next generation. My hands-on experience in the classroom taught me the value of hard work, patience, and the need for diverse and tailored solutions. I worked directly with parents, students, and school administrators to improve outcomes, which gives me a unique perspective on how we can address educational inequities at a legislative level. I will advocate for better resources for students and teachers, fighting for smaller class sizes, additional funding, and more mental health support. These initiatives highlight my commitment that every child in the 131st District has access to high-quality public education.

As a registrar of voters, my counterpart and I run a nonpartisan office serving all citizens in the town of Oxford, CT. Along with managing the department budget, I play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of elections and the electoral process. My responsibility as an election administrator requires that I conduct all elections according to state and federal election laws and that the process is secure, transparent, and the results are accurate. My belief in ethical leadership earned me the trust of parents, students, colleagues, and administrators in my capacity as a Ridgefield High School teacher and as a registrar of voters in Oxford. I will continue to uphold these values if elected to the State House. In my role as a teacher and as a registrar of voters, I’ve successfully led initiatives that brought tangible results. These efforts directly and positively impacted people’s lives, and the outcomes made each community, respectively, more connected.

I have shown up for people and advocated for them at town hall meetings. My ability to communicate clearly and persuasively has been crucial in driving meaningful action. I believe in building coalitions that result in real, lasting improvements. As a community organizer, I have brought people together and successfully coordinated efforts which have shown me the power of grassroots and how we can create real change when we engage each other in decision-making. In every role I have held, I have conducted myself with integrity and transparency and I will continue to uphold these values if elected to office.

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

Someone needs to be able to speak directly about the challenges faced by small towns- I am ready to listen to ideas. I will ensure that residents in the 131st have a voice in Hartford and proudly represent all in our district! I am the right person for this job. I will work to keep health insurance and property taxes fair for seniors, families, veterans, and businesses. I will fight every day to help working class citizens and seniors on a fixed budget who are struggling to pay for housing and food and to make our communities a safe and comfortable place to call home.

Our first responders deserve support. Police departments, firefighters and EMTs need funding for up-to-date equipment and training. I intend to advocate for meaningful tax benefits for those who volunteer to keep us safe. I will fight for quality public education so that students can develop their potential, build skills, and character. I will ensure that Oxford, Naugatuck, and Southbury receive a fair share of available funds from the Education Cost Sharing and Excess Cost grants Finally, I will champion environmental causes and will work to preserve parks and recreation sites for the benefit of residents, native animals, and plants. I will work to establish safety standards that will protect the health of our citizens from environmental pollutants and contaminants while ensuring a supportive environment for future economic development.

On a personal level, I love sports - my favorite is golf. I was recently bitten by the pickleball bug, and enjoy hiking as well as kayaking at Jackson Cove. I appreciate opportunities to spend time in Boston (Having graduated from Boston University, I remain loyal to the Red Sox.) and am always up for a day in NYC and Broadway. I value opportunities to travel, music, the beach, and just sitting on my patio having some laughs with close friends and family.