Basic Information
Full Name: Savet Constantine
Office Sought: State Representative
Contact Information (Email, Phone, Website):
savet@savetforthe42nd.com
203-939-7570
www.savetforthe42nd.com
General Questions
Top Three Priorities if Elected
My top three priorities are driving business growth, cutting taxes, and ensuring our schools remain the cornerstone of our community. These aren’t just talking points for me—they’re issues I live every day. As a pro-business Democrat, I know that thriving local businesses are the backbone of our economy. By making smart cuts to taxes—particularly through sensible energy and housing policies—we can make life more affordable for seniors and young families while attracting new businesses and jobs to our area.
Our schools are the bedrock of our community. High-quality schools not only secure our children’s future but also protect our property values. I will fight to ensure we invest wisely in education while maintaining a responsible approach to taxation. As for safety, I’m committed to gun safety measures. Guns are now the leading cause of death among children, and this is unacceptable. As a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate and as a candidate endorsed by Connecticut Against Gun Violence, I’m ready to act.
Professional, Volunteer, or Public Service Experience
For over 16 years, I’ve led from the ground up, volunteering in our schools and serving as PTA president for five years. During that time, I spearheaded initiatives, managed finances, set agendas, and brought together parents, teachers, and administrators to solve problems. I’ve built a career on collaboration, ensuring the voices of our community are heard and their needs addressed.
Beyond education, I’ve spent the last several years engaging residents to serve on town boards, understanding firsthand the strengths our volunteers bring to local governance. I’m also deeply enmeshed in the issues affecting our district, regularly attending town meetings and discussing town issues with concerned residents. This direct involvement gives me a pulse on our community’s concerns and challenges.
Additionally, I’ve built strong relationships with leaders at every level—federal, state, and local—on both sides of the aisle. These relationships are key to cutting through the noise and getting things done for our district. I know how to build coalitions that deliver results.
Finally, as a member of the sandwich generation, I live the same balancing act as many of our families—raising children while caring for aging parents. I understand the pressures our families face and will bring that understanding to every decision I make in Hartford.
Policy Questions
Local Control: How do you propose to protect your district’s control over zoning decisions? What is your approach to balancing affordable housing needs with preserving the town’s character?
New Canaan has struck the perfect balance between growth and preservation, and we can learn from their example. Towns like ours know best how to plan for their housing needs while preserving what makes our community special. I’ll fight to ensure local control remains in our hands because we know what works for our residents—not Hartford bureaucrats.
Many long-time residents want to downsize but stay connected to their community. We need to create housing options that allow them to do so, while also ensuring that essential workers like our police, firefighters, and teachers can afford to live here. Housing availability isn’t just a local issue; it impacts our businesses as well. Companies are choosing where to locate and expand based on housing availability for their employees. We must be proactive in addressing these needs if we want to keep our district vibrant and thriving.
Smart zoning policies, local control, and careful planning can ensure that we grow in a way that benefits everyone, from young families to retirees. And we need to ensure seniors have access to affordable housing and property tax relief so they can stay in the homes and communities they’ve helped build.
Utilities: What steps have you taken/will you take to address rising costs of electricity, natural gas, and water? Please explain your stand on the current situation with Aquarion.
The skyrocketing utility bills we saw this summer were a wake-up call. Residents shouldn’t be blindsided by unexplained charges like the public benefit fee tied to Millstone Nuclear Power Plant. This isn’t just a problem of high costs—it’s a problem of transparency and accountability.
I’m committed to making sure that utility companies are transparent with consumers and that we have experts on PURA who are equipped to fight for us, not the utilities. Equivalent consideration for transparency and consumer interests must also be given ahead of any Aquarion sale. Overall, when it comes to utilities, we need to embrace innovative solutions, like solar and home battery storage, to stabilize energy costs and make our system more resilient. Energy security is critical, but so is affordability. We need both, and I’m ready to fight for it.
Economy: How will you address the economic challenges posed by inflation? What legislative measures will you support to ease the financial burden on households and businesses in your district?
Inflation is eating away at family budgets, and we need action. While recent middle-class tax cuts have been a good start, we need to focus on real, sustainable growth that doesn’t rely on short-term fixes. That means cutting red tape, securing state funding for local businesses, and pushing for policies that foster long-term economic development.
We also need to keep our fiscal house in order. Paying down pension debt and maintaining a responsible budget are critical to keeping Connecticut’s excellent credit rating. But we can’t just focus on cuts—we need smart investment in infrastructure and business-friendly policies that create jobs and reduce the tax burden for families. That’s the balance I’ll fight to strike.
Supermajority: What does having a supermajority in the Connecticut legislature
mean to you and to your district?
A supermajority gives us the opportunity to pass big, meaningful legislation—but only if we’re willing to collaborate. I’ve built strong relationships with leaders on both sides of the aisle, and those relationships will allow me to hit the ground running. I’ll leverage those connections to make sure our district’s priorities are heard and acted upon in Hartford.
Bipartisanship: How would you describe the current political environment in Connecticut? If elected, how will you contribute to improving the tone of political discourse and foster cooperation among different political viewpoints?
We need less division and more problem-solving. Throughout my career, I’ve worked across political lines to get things done, whether it’s been for our schools, parents, or the community at large. My focus has always been on finding common ground and leaving partisanship at the door. I’ll bring that same pragmatic approach to Hartford because our community needs solutions, not more political squabbles.
Your View: What should we have asked that we did not?
It’s not just about what I’ve done professionally—it’s about who I am and how I live my life. As a member of the sandwich generation, I know firsthand the challenges of raising a family while caring for aging parents. I’ve seen how our seniors struggle to navigate healthcare, how they face risks of financial exploitation, and how little support they receive. I’m committed to fighting for stronger protections and more accessible services for our seniors, because we owe it to them.
And I promise to be your voice in Hartford—fighting for the issues that matter to all of us. I ask for your vote so we can build a stronger, more secure future for District 42.
