Patch Candidate Profile: Kate Farrar For 20th State House District

WEST HARTFORD, 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. Kate Farrar, D-West Hartford, is running for another term in office. She is running unopposed.

What office are you seeking?

State Representative

District: 20th

Campaign website: www.kateforct.com

What city or town do you live in? West Hartford

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: Over 20 years of experience as a non-profit advocate and active community volunteer. In her role as executive director of the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF), she led the passage of CT’s landmark Paid Family and Medical Leave Act in addition to advancing new laws for pay equity and increasing the minimum wage.

Before her advocacy work at CWEALF, she expanded STEM education and leadership programs for 10,000 middle school girls and college women as the Vice President of Campus Leadership Programs at the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in Washington, D.C.

Currently, she serves as a strategy coordinator for Connecticut Foodshare. She is also board president of the Betty Knox Foundation, as well as a board member of the Aurora Foundation for Women and Girls.

Farrar earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Connecticut and a master’s in public administration from Syracuse University. Farrar, her husband Chan, and their dog Lizzie live in West Hartford.

Occupation: Nonprofit professional

Family: Farrar, her husband Chan, and their dog Lizzie live in West Hartford.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? N/A

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Just currently as a state representative.

Age: 45

Why are you seeking this office?
I am running for re-election to continue to build a state for all of us to thrive. I am dedicated to being a champion for our diverse community and delivering results for our district.

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

We need to make Connecticut more affordable by addressing the unfair tax system and investing in more housing options and child care. I plan to take action by continuing to advocate for a permanent state Child Tax Credit and further state investment in housing and child care.

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?

A significant percentage of these deaths are from impaired driving. As a member of the Transportation Committee, I support reducing the allowable blood alcohol level from .08 to .05% and eliminating our open container law both of which will reduce crashes.

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

Now in her second term, Farrar serves in two leadership positions in the General Assembly — as vice chair of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee and as a Deputy Majority Leader.

She worked to deliver the state’s largest tax cuts for working and middle class families and seniors, protected and expand health care access, and built greater equity in education and the workforce.

In 2024, she received a Children’s Champion Award for leading a bipartisan bill to provide more affordable and accessible child care.

She was also instrumental in securing millions in investment for West Hartford and Newington, including a grant for the town’s purchase of the former St. Brigid School as a site for a new Elmwood Community Center as well as critical funding for the Newington Children's Theatre.

Farrar often works closely with 20th District constituents to pass their ideas for legislation into law. She successfully led passage of a menstrual equity law with Conard High School students and a law to expand the number of languages for the drivers’ license exam with the Nepalese community.

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

I look forward to continuing to listen to residents across the 20th District to collaborate on new solutions for our community and our state. We need to make Connecticut more affordable, invest in more housing options and child care, and design healthier communities for us to live, work and thrive. And with so much uncertainty at the national level, we need to make certain Connecticut protects our hard-fought rights and freedoms.