CT Patch Candidate Profile: Aimee Berger-Girvalo For State Rep

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

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: Aimee Berger-Girvalo

What office are you seeking? State Representative

District: 111th CT House District

Campaign website

What city or town do you live in? Ridgefield

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: BA from UMASS Amherst

Occupation: I am proud to be Ridgefield's current State Representative. As a former Behavior Therapist for children on the Autism Spectrum, (7 years) and former general manager for Hard Rock Cafe inc and Gap Inc (10+ years), I have a wide range of professional experience, all of which comes in very handy in a job that requires an ability to collaborate with folks from the widest assortment of backgrounds imaginable.

Family: My Daughter, Gracie (23) is a University of Delaware grad working for a non-profit in NYC. My Son, Austin (18) is a freshman at Roger Williams University. Both are RHS grads and both are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I am in a long-term relationship with the love of my life, Jeff, who lives in Danbury, and who likes to remind people that he is this particular Democrat's favorite Republican. And while he does go for a laugh when he says that, I would be remiss if I didn't state how much I appreciate his wisdom and perspective. I couldn't do this job without the love and support of these three remarkable humans.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

Currently serving my second term in CT General Assembly

Age: 51

Why are you seeking this office?

I have spent my lifetime fighting for equity, accessibility, and the basic rights that we all deserve. My mom taught me the importance of advocating for the kinds of solutions that lift us all. As the incumbent, I am looking to continue the work that is so important to my constituents, including:

*continuing to help CT build resiliency in the face of undeniable climate change

*continuing to address affordability by advocating for further tax cuts and services for all, with a particular focus on seniors, and holding utilities accountable

*expanding access to healthcare by reducing prescription costs, and increasing affordable insurance coverage

*protecting public schools and their funding

*preserving reproductive freedom, voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and common-sense gun regulation

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

That depends entirely on who you ask... our voters are understandably concerned about such a broad range of issues. I feel that to say that any one of those is more important than others is to dismiss the concerns of so many.

But a theme that has emerged over the last few months of canvassing and hearing from voters here in Ridgefield is the very basic idea of defending the progress we have made. In the four years I have served, we have expanded services, improved our infrastructure, paid down a significant portion of our statewide debt, enacted some of the safest gun laws in the country, expanded and defended medical and reproductive freedom to make our own healthcare decisions, all while delivering the largest tax cuts in CT's recorded history. Connecticut residents don't want to see that progress reversed.

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?

This is a particularly meaningful issue to me. I lost me dear friend Quentin "Q" Williams the day we were sworn in for my second term. He was killed in a car crash. As the acting House Chair of the Transportation Committee I have had the privilege of attending meetings of the Vision Zero Council, and of leading passage on several laws that will make our roads safer for pedestrians and drivers. We have a distracted driving problem, we have the heaviest average vehicle weights ever, and we have folks driving faster than ever. And then we have too many folks driving under the influence of substances. In 2022 we ranked 18th in the country for highest number of drunk driving incidents, and that was nearly 14% higher than the previous year.

Additionally, I am an alumni of the Complete Streets program, which is a comprehensive approach to planning, designing and building streets, that enables safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. I have been able to immerse myself in the data and to explore solutions that have already been implemented outside of CT, to prepare to engage in solving this very real, very tragic problem.

Additionally, I have had many lengthy conversations with our Chief of Police, here in Ridgefield about ways to work toward road safety together, and am excited to bring him into the conversation at the state level. Collaboration with local leaders and the experts who are already doing this work outside of CT is the approach I believe we need to take to address this most serious issue.

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

I have spent a lifetime getting things done for the betterment of all who stand to be affected by the decisions I make, and, in the context of this job, affected by the votes I cast. And I have done this work openly, honestly, collaboratively, and with integrity. I have never once refused to answer a difficult question, or refused to even show up to answer questions, and I have never told a lie about any opponent. But that is, frankly, the bare minimum of what my constituents deserve.

I am prepared to fight for my district, even in the face of being an outlier in my party, as I have done on legislation that would directly impact our town. Whether the issue was housing, workforce support, or educational funding, I have fought for the things that our local boards have asked me to fight for, even when I was one of only a few dissenting voices in Hartford doing so.

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

Back in May, in the final week of the 2024 session, I led passage of a bi-partisan Department of Transportation omnibus bill - a project that I worked on for months. The bill contained concepts that would address safety, funding, infrastructure and environmental factors, and each element came proposals by a multiple legislators. As committee leadership, we reviewed each proposal that came through, regardless of the legislator who proposed it or their party affiliation -- the content was the important thing. I spent the hours leading up to it being called on the House floor standing with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, answering questions and just trying to understand if there was any last minute issue or concern that could hinder passage. Not only did we pass the bill with all of the majority and 39/53 Republicans present voting in favor, but we did so in record time. Typically the DOT bills take an hour or more to get to a vote -- we got this one done in 18 minutes. I have been told that it was my openness to collaboration, my willingness to answer questions directly, and my time invested with colleagues across the aisle that got it done so quickly and with so much support.

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

First, I want to thank Ridgefield for their support and for the privilege to represent you, over the last four years. It still takes my breath away when I walk into the chamber of the House, and feel the weight of the responsibility with which you have entrusted me.

I will continue to bring funding back home to Ridgefield for education, the arts, and municipal projects and infrastructure. And I will continue to fight for the things that you have asked for as I have met you at your doors and at events -- things like further tax cuts and affordability for the middle class, support for working families and seniors, holding utilities accountable all while defending our freedom to live the lives we each deserve to live. But I am also prepared to be your last line of defense if the Federal government begins to dismantle the rights and freedoms we hold so dear.

We are always asked whether this job as State Representative is a full-time job, and the honest answer is that we are considered a part-time legislature. But I will continue to work for you all day, every day, as I have done. It is my genuine honor and joy to do so.