Patch Candidate Profile: Tammy Exum For 19th 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. Tammy Exum, D-West Hartford, is running for another term in office. She is running unopposed.

What office are you seeking? State Representative

District: 19th House District

Website: https://www.tammyexum2024.com/

What city or town do you live in? West Hartford

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: Bachelor of science, early childhood education; Master of Business Administration, marketing

Occupation: State representative, 5 years

Family: I have three sons, all of whom have graduated from West Hartford Public Schools. My two older sons have both graduated from college, and the youngest is a freshman at the University of Hartford.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elected:

Member of West Hartford Board of Education, 2013-17

Age: 57

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking this office because I want to continue to build upon the work that I've done, particularly as it pertains to the Children's Behavioral Health landmark legislation that I championed in 2022.

I'm proud that this work passed with broad bipartisan support, and I look forward to continuing to work across party lines to best support our communities and the state as a whole.

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

I think a top issue is affordability and it touches so many areas that need addressing, such as housing, childcare, seniors, and energy costs.

I support policies that increase access to affordable housing, the creation of a child tax credit, expansion of the state income tax exemption on social security, and reform of our energy system to reduce costs.

My focus is on making CT a place where everyone can afford to live and thrive.

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 continue to see deaths from reckless behavior, wrong-way driving, and driving while distracted or impaired.

In 2023, we enacted legislation to build awareness, enhance safety, and create signage and systems to alert drivers.

I think we have to continue to push awareness campaigns and strongly enforce our existing laws so that folks are held accountable when using vehicles in an unsafe manner.

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

I don't have an opponent this cycle.

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

I was appointed by the Speaker of the House to form a committee to create robust legislation around the children's mental health crisis that became prominent in 2022, as was evidenced by the number of young children in the emergency department.

Six months later, the bipartisan committee produced comprehensive legislation to address the issue and it received 100 percent affirmative votes, in the House and Senate, before being signed into law.

I subsequently formed, and serve as a tri-chair, of the Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee (TCB), which continues to look closely at the issue and is working, in conjunction with others, to create the best behavioral health system possible for the children and families of CT.

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

I'd like voters to know that it's truly my honor to serve as their advocate at the Capitol and that I'm grateful for the trust that they've instilled in me.