Candidate Profile: Susan Chapman For CT Senate District 24

CONNECTICUT — The 2020 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 presidential election, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs. All five of Connecticut's congressional seats 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 with a 91 to 60 lead over Republicans in the House and a 22 to 14 lead in the Senate.

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

Susan Chapman, a New Fairfield resident, is running for Senate District 24.

Age: 52

Party affiliation: Republican Party
Independent Party

Family: Susan Chapman has lived in Connecticut for over 20 years. Susan and her husband, Ken, have been married for over 30 years. They have three children, all of whom graduated from Connecticut public schools: Blake is a U.S. Air Force officer in medical school, Ryan is a West Point graduate and a captain in the U.S. Army and Grace is a graduate of Savannah College of Art & Design with plans to go to veterinary school.

Occupation: Community volunteer

Previous elected experience: Planning Commission chair, selectman and first selectman of New Fairfield

Family members in government: No

Campaign website: www.chapmanforstatesenate.com

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

We need to work to make Connecticut affordable for everyone. We need to cut taxes and reduce spending. The state needs to adopt policies that make it easier for small businesses to be successful. The state eliminated the entity tax but then increased other fees that businesses have to pay.

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

I will work for all of my constituents. My opponent caters to special interest groups. She supported the anti-police bill that was rushed through in a special session. This bill makes it harder for police to do their jobs and is a backdoor way of defunding the police. There are unfunded mandates in this bill that will dramatically increase the cost for police departments. I will work to get this bill repealed. My opponent does not support the Danbury Prospect School. This school will be publicly funded and will help reduce overcrowding in the Danbury schools. My opponent has blocked the funding for this school. There is a generous donor willing to give the city of Danbury $25 million to open this school. The minority community in Danbury wants this school because it will be focused on ensuring minority staff and minority students. I will work to get this school the necessary funding of $1.2 million from the state. We need to put children first not special interest groups.

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

I have been the chief elected official (CEO) of a municipality. I think it is important to have people in Hartford who understand what it is like to implement mandates from Hartford. What might sound good in Hartford isn't always what is the best for our local towns.

Do you believe Connecticut needs reform when it comes to electric utility oversight? What steps, if any should be taken?

Yes, we need legislators that will work to hold the utilities accountable for their actions. I will not support legislation that is harmful to our residents. Electricity is not a luxury and it should be affordable for everyone. We should cap executive pay.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?

We need to repeal taxes that hurt businesses. We should repeal the 6.35 percent tax on employment training and on safety equipment.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

My priorities are to:
- Make CT affordable for businesses and residents.
- Provide school choice while ensuring we receive our fair share of funding from the state.
- Repealing the police bill that makes our law enforcement officers and community less safe.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Since the pandemic began, I have been volunteering with a local food pantry. We serve hundreds of families every day that we host a food pantry. I recently secured a $50,000 donation to purchase a refrigerated truck that will be used to pick up donated food from local groceries stores and deliver to the local charities in the Greater Danbury area.