Candidate Profile: Mary M. Mushinsky, 85th State House District

WALLINGFORD, 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.

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

Mary M. Mushinsky, 73, of Wallingford, is running for re-election to the House of Representatives in the 85th District, representing Wallingford.

Campaign website

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: B.A. SCSU (biology); M.A.L.S., Wesleyan U. (science); Alternate Route to Teacher Certification (science)

Occupation: legislator (43); watershed protection (25); public interest organizer (5); forestry service (1); substitute teacher (multi-year)

Family: With my husband, Martin J. Waters, retired journalist, I raised two adult sons, Martin and Edward, who graduated from Wallingford Public Schools and established their own careers.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

State Representative 85th District (1981-present); Deputy Speaker; serve on Environment Committee, Energy and Technology Committee, and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. I previously chaired the Environment Committee, Children's Committee, and the bipartisan Program Review and Investigations Committee.

Why are you seeking this office?

I believe in public service, have devoted my life to it and find satisfaction in problem-solving to improve people's lives and protect my community in ways that are sustainable for the long term. Our town is 254 years old, and we want to be thriving here centuries from now!

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

There is an acute housing shortage in CT and in our own town of Wallingford that is hurting workforce recruitment, elder care, and low wage workers with families. Housing advocates estimate the CT shortage at 90,000 to 100,000 units. I am a member of a local group of housing activists organized by our local South Central CT Council of Governments. We are looking to increase housing for the 55+ age group and the first-time buyers in their 20’s and 30’s, many of whom are our critical workforce. I support legislation to increase housing around transit hubs, accessory apartments, shared housing, additional apartment buildings, and housing for senior residents on town-owned land.

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?

Cars and motorcycles are the transportation methods with the highest rate of accidents, injuries and deaths. The most common causes of fatal car accidents in CT include distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, and moving violations such as illegal turns or running red lights. To enlist the public in helping reduce fatalities, CT DOT is posting the number of deaths on highway signs (as of Aug. 31, there were 224 fatal crashes in CT). Data compiled by UConn indicates there are far more fatal crashes on state and local roads than on highways. I support any legislative tools to reduce fatalities, including: road designs to slow down drivers, increased enforcement against reckless and impaired driving; more sidewalks, bike lanes and bike ways, including extension of the linear trail; speed tables and smaller travel lanes, and local-option speed and red light cameras. We are also combining state and federal funds to fix choke points on highways such as the 91/15/691 interchange in Meriden and installing wrong way warning technology.

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

1. I have a long and consistent record of service to the 85th district and Town of Wallingford, including 43 years of obtaining funding for town education, public safety, hospitals, non-profits and community improvement projects. 2. I hold leadership rank (Deputy Speaker) in the majority party to better serve Wallingford. Surveys help guide my legislative priorities. 3. I demonstrate a persistent work ethic, serving as a Board member and legislative liaison for the Coalition for a Better Wallingford (to prevent drug and substance abuse and improve mental health), founder and co-chair of Quinnipiac River Linear Trail Advisory Committee; and service on the Wallingford Energy Conservation Commission that helped town schools save hundreds of thousands of dollars in reduced energy costs. 4. In addition to the Democratic Party, I’m endorsed by the Independent Party as a problem- solver who works with colleagues to address major state challenges, and by the Working Families Party as an advocate for economic fairness for all families.

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

Past accomplishments include 43 years of service as a legislator, 3 chairmanships (Environment, Children, and the bipartisan Program Review and Investigations Committees) and service in leadership roles, including as assistant majority leader, assistant deputy speaker, and deputy speaker. I have a consistent record of fighting for and winning town aid and funding for services in the district, including water treatment, day care, hospital funds, economic development and the Quinnipiac River Linear Trail.

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

It has been an honor to represent Wallingford’s 85th District, and I’m seeking support from Wallingford residents for another term to serve my cherished hometown as state representative. The most recent legislative session was a productive one for our State and Town. We passed a bipartisan budget that lowered our pension debt, filled the Rainy Day Fund, gave tax relief to middle class, working poor and retirees; funded municipalities and non-profits; and invested in economic growth and workforce. We also protected reproductive freedom in our state. We worked in a bipartisan way to discourage the market for stolen cars and parts. For next steps: 1. I’m working to leverage federal and state funds to promote installation of heat pump technology to save money in heating and cooling for residents, businesses and institutions, and continue the transition to clean, more affordable energy. 2. For a sustainable economy, I’ll continue my efforts to provide workforce training for new careers and encourage housing near train and bus transportation to serve workers and seniors and allow them to stay in Wallingford. 3. And, I’ll work to connect the linear trail to Route 150 to provide safe, cross-town travel for pedestrians and bicyclists.