CT Patch Candidate Profile: Jeff Desmarais For State Senator

SOUTHBURY, 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 state.

Candidate’s Name: Jeff Desmarais

What office are you seeking? State Senate

District: 32nd Senate District

Campaign website

What city or town do you live in? Watertown

Party affiliation: Democratic

Education: Bachelors Degree, UConn

Occupation: Financial Advisor

Family: Wife Joanna,45; daughter Chloe, 18; son Ethan, 15.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

Watertown Town Council 2017, 2021

Age: 48

Why are you seeking this office?

I am committed to working for the betterment of our communities, our state and our nation. I want to help provide representation that seeks to help people and expand and protect people’s rights.

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

Increasing costs, especially health care and energy. Legislation can be used to cap these egregious increases and better regulate these out of control entities. A public option for health care and expanding and strengthening PURA are also objectives to reducing these costs.

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?

We can increase funding for patrolling the highways, and toward improving these roads to expand their traffic capacity. Increasing penalties for reckless driving could also act as a deterrent.

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

I believe in protecting the rights of women, the LGBTQ community; in improving education and supporting educators; in addressing issues such as gun violence that is not subservient to the gun lobby; in taking serious steps to addressing costs rather than grandstanding; and in protecting our democracy rather than promoting Qanon and other far right talking points.

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

I have fought, both in and out of government, for our schools and proper responsible budgeting; I have supported causes promoting individual rights; I have opposed extremist groups attempting to take root in our communities.