CT Patch Candidate Profile: Ceci Maher For State Senator

WILTON, 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 towns, cities and state.

Candidate’s Name: Ceci Maher

What office are you seeking? State Senate

District: 26th Senate District

Campaign website

What city or town do you live in? Wilton

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: UMass Amherst, BS, Columbia University School of Social Work, MSW

Occupation: State Senator, 2 years, Non-profit Executive, 20 years

Family: Yes, I have three grown children and one grandchild.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

I am proud to have served as a State Senator for the last two years.

Age: 70

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking re-election because I have delivered real results on the issues that matter to this district, like making living in our region more affordable by delivering the first real tax relief in two decades, protecting our seniors in elder care, and supporting local business and redevelopment. As Chair of the Children’s Committee, I have been able to deliver free breakfast to our students and expand youth mental health services. I am a staunch proponent of reproductive freedom and environmental sustainability. I am proud to have joined my colleagues in passing gun safety measures like banning AR-15 assault weapons and limiting the number of guns that can be purchased a month.

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

Making our region more affordable is my top priority. This work began with the historic $600 million middle-class tax cut that we passed in 2023, which put more money in the pockets of Connecticut residents when they needed it: as they were faced with inflationary prices. Expanding tax exemptions for pensions, annuities, and IRAs has made living here more affordable for our retirees.

But we have to do more. In particular, we need to create housing, so that our workers can afford to live in the district, our children can return to their hometowns, and so that seniors have somewhere to downsize. Many of our neighbors experience food insecurity. 40 percent of Connecticut residents earn less than what they need to survive. We need to continue to provide free breakfast and lunch for our students who need them.

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?

I support the work of the Connecticut Vision Zero Council, an interagency group overseen by the Department of Transportation to address the trend of increasing fatalities on our roads. Their recommendations include measures like putting flashing lights in locations that see a lot of stop sign and light running and improving sightlines within cities and towns to prevent pedestrian fatalities. I support police efforts to step up traffic citations to address the rise in speeding that occurred during the pandemic.

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

I have a proven record in my career as a non-profit leader for 20 years and as a Senator. As the CEO of Person to Person, I doubled the number of meals that we provided annually to 2 million. That required fundraising, expanding our operation, working with our communities and leaders, and always evaluating whether we were supporting our clients effectively. In the Senate, I have been able to work across the aisle and secure funding and solutions for a wide array of our local businesses, arts and cultural institutions, schools, and environmental treasures. One example: a constituent came to me with the idea for a universal youth behavioral health intake form to streamline the process of accessing services for children and teens. I was able to introduce and pass that life-improving measure for parents in just one session.

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

I have faced some of our most deeply rooted problems as a community. As a social worker, I first worked with parents and children suffering from mental health issues. In that work, it became clear to me that I needed to address the underlying problems of food and housing insecurity to truly alleviate the stress and anxiety that result from poverty. That understanding led me to Person to Person, where we were able to comprehensively address the challenges of our clients--and then expand our services as we recognized growing needs. They are the kind of problems that many people find daunting, but I am not afraid of a challenge.

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

Serving the 26th District has been the honor of a lifetime. I love hearing from my constituents and working together to find solutions to our challenges.