Patch Candidate Profile: Christopher Poulos For 81st State House

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The 2024 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Eyes are primarily focused on the U.S. presidential election, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs.
All five of Connecticut's congressional seats, plus one U.S. Senate seat, are up for grabs as well.

There are 151 seats in the state House of Representatives and 36 in the state Senate. Democrats currently hold majorities in both chambers.

Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

State Rep. Christopher Poulos, D-Southington, is running for another term in office against Republican challenger James Morelli Jr. of Southington.

In 2022, Poulos narrowly won his seat when he defeated Republican Tony Morrison by just one vote.

What office are you seeking? State Representative

District: 81st House

Website: www.poulosforsouthington.com

What city or town do you live in? Southington

Party affiliation: Democrat (cross-endorsed by Independent Party)

Education: Sixth Year in Educational Leadership from the University of Connecticut (2007);
Masters of Arts in Spanish Education from Teachers College, Columbia University (2003);
Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Studies from the University of Richmond (1997);
Southington High School (1993).

Occupation: High School Teacher (25 years)

Family: My wife Helen and I have been married for 20 years. We are proud parents of Molly (17) and Andrew (13).

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

Previous public office, appointive or elected:

State Representative, 81 (2022- present), Southington Town Council, 2017-2021 (two terms); Southington Library Board, 2022

Age: 49

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running for office in Southington because I want to make a difference by bringing people together to do what’s best for our community. During my two terms on the town council and now as your State Representative, I have worked with both my party and across party lines to help our residents and to give back to our community. As you can imagine, at times I have had to make tough votes on budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility, public safety efforts to reduce crime, and on decisions to ensure quality public education. Throughout my tenure as an elected official, I have never compromised my values and, as a result, we have accomplished a lot, whether it was securing funding for important town projects; advocating for firefighters, police, veterans, seniors, and the disabled; or supporting our small businesses. I am proud to represent Southington and have been honored to put in the hard work it takes to make positive contributions to our town.

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

In my view, the number one issue facing Connecticut is affordability. Local property taxes, set by the Town Council, have increased by nearly 8% in Southington over the past two years, and spending has increased by $18 million. In an effort to offset these party-line budgets, I supported the bipartisan state budget that reduced the CT income tax for the first time in history and expanded tax exemptions on social security and retirement income. I took a legislative lead to eliminate property taxes for disabled veterans and voted to increase state education funding, which alleviates the local tax burden required to support our schools. During my next term, I will continue to support budgets that make CT more affordable for families, seniors, and businesses.

Excessively high utility bills also have been hard on families. I believe that the unwelcome spike in electric bills is unacceptable and shows that the regulatory process in Connecticut is broken. Know that I share in the frustration of the many residents who have contacted me with concerns. When decisions were made about the now public benefits programs, I was not in office. Let me be clear: No one should have to pay someone else's electric bill, and if I were in office at that time, I would have questioned any proposals that would have impacted ratepayers’ bills, just like I did when I voted against legislation the past session that would have resulted in additional rate hikes. Recently, I have worked with members of the moderate caucus to develop and propose a list of solutions for immediate relief and long-term stability in our electric bills, and we are currently working on a legislative proposal to this end that we will introduce next session. Last month, I crossed party lines and signed the petition calling for a special session to address this crisis. During my next term, I will continue to advocate for relief for ratepayers and push hard to hold energy companies accountable.

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?

Over the last two years, I have spoken with many residents who are concerned about their safety on CT’s highways.

Since COVID, there have been increased incidents of drivers speeding and swerving, making our roads dangerous, and sadly leading to an increase in accidents and fatalities.

In my second term as State Representative, I plan to introduce an “I-84 Traffic Safety Corridor” initiative, which will aim to both heighten awareness and increase enforcement of highway safety laws between Waterbury and New Britain.

I commit to working with State Police and the Department of Transportation to implement this plan, and when successful, replicate the model on CT’s most traveled roadways.

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

I have always been an independent thinker and have taken a common-sense approach to government, making it a priority to collaborate with like-minded legislators, work across party lines, and remain committed to a moderate approach that involves compromise, negotiation, and working together.

As a result of this bipartisanship, I have earned the endorsement of the Independent Party of CT, amongst other endorsements. When re-elected to a second term I commit to continuing my “independent thinker” approach to governance, voting issue by issue, and delivering for Southington.

I am also more engaged with the community and have demonstrated that I am willing to work hard to represent Southington’s interests and priorities at the Capitol. During both election years and off years, I have made it a point to visit many residents at their homes, ask them if they have questions, and hear their concerns.

Touring local businesses, celebrating with residents, and volunteering at community events have complemented my door-to-door visits and further enabled me to experience the pulse of the 81st District.

The time I have spent engaged with constituents has been invaluable, and all of these activities have offered me a keen insight into our residents’ and business owners’ hopes and challenges, which has equipped me to best represent them in Hartford.

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

I am proud that I supported the bipartisan state budget with the largest state income tax cut in CT history. This budget agreement also included expanded tax benefits on social security and retirement income.

I understand the challenges we face in our current economy and made it a priority to collaborate and support a budget that makes Connecticut more affordable.

I have also been able to deliver big wins for Southington such as funding for capital improvements and an expanded fitness program at the Calendar House, a grant to ensure that Southington builds the library that our community deserves, state and federal support to improve Camp Sloper, and the largest investment in public education funding in our state’s history.

I’ve also taken a leadership role in securing housing funds for the ARC of Southington, ensuring the availability of services for Connecticut’s Deaf Community, and exempting property tax for disabled veterans.

Helping those most in need has been a focus during my tenure as State Representative.

I attribute my success as a State Representative to my temperament, moderate approach, and bipartisanship. Compromise, negotiation, and working together have enabled me to earn the respect of colleagues on both sides of the aisle, move legislation forward, and deliver for Southington.

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

For my entire life, I have had a connection to Southington. I was born here, grew up and attended public schools, have worked, volunteered, and have chosen to settle with my family in Plantsville. I was raised to give back.

In high school, I served as class president, in college, I was elected to the student government, and afterward, I joined the United States Peace Corps.

As an adult in our community, I served on the Southington Town Council and library board, and now as your State Representative.

In this role, I have been able to deliver for Southington’s families, seniors, and businesses. I running for reelection and when I get back to Hartford, you have my word that I will work hard for you, collaborate across the aisle, and remain an independent thinker with our town’s interests as my priority. I am grateful for your trust and confidence and ask for your vote on Nov. 5.