Candidate Profile: Melissa Lindsey, 24th State Senate District

DANBURY, CT — Melissa Lindsey, a Republican and former New Fairfield first selectman, is running for Connecticut's 24th State Senate District in the Nov. 3 election.

Lindsey, 44, is challenging Democratic incumbent Julie Kushner for the seat representing Danbury and portions of New Fairfield and Ridgefield.

Lindsey recently responded to Patch's candidate questionnaire, sharing her views on affordability, energy costs and state government spending.

Candidate's Name: Melissa Lindsey

What office are you seeking?

State Senate, 24th District

Age: 44

District: 24

What city or town do you live in?

New Fairfield

Party affiliation: Republican

Occupation: Office manager

Family: Married with three children

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? If yes, tell us who and in what job.

No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

Former First Selectman, Town of New Fairfield

Campaign website: https://lindseyforsenatect.com/

Why are you seeking this office?

To give everyone in the 24th District a voice in Hartford. Too often, people feel that their concerns are overlooked and their voices ignored. Every resident of the 24th District deserves to be heard, respected, and represented.

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

Cost of living — Connecticut families are working hard, yet many are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living. I will fight to lower electricity costs, eliminate the Public Benefits Charge on electric bills, reduce unnecessary government spending, and improve transparency in state budgeting. Programs funded by taxpayers should be clearly accounted for in the state budget.

I will also work to relieve our towns of costly unfunded state mandates that add to our property tax burden, pursue reasonable limits on property tax increases, and oppose spending that puts special interests ahead of taxpayers.

Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?

First, I will remove the Public Benefits charges from the electric bills. If a program truly deserves funding, it should be brought through the public budget process for full transparency. I will also eliminate other costly state energy mandates that drive up electric bills, including programs that require us to pay extra for renewable energy and emissions reduction. These programs cost Connecticut ratepayers over $400 million a year. To truly lower energy costs, Connecticut must pursue a balanced, all-of-the-above energy strategy. This strategy should include nuclear, natural gas, and renewable energy. A diversified approach is the most practical path to reliable, affordable power for all families and businesses.

Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?

Cut wasteful government spending and put taxpayers first. Stop spending money on political pet projects, eliminate slush funds, crack down on fraud and unnecessary spending, and reduce borrowing so we can pay down our debt and save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Lower electric bills by eliminating costly state energy mandates and hidden charges that drive up the cost of electricity.

Stop Hartford from passing unfunded mandates onto our towns, forcing local taxpayers to pick up the bill through higher property taxes.

It's time to control government spending, lower the cost of living, and stop putting more financial burdens on Connecticut families and businesses.

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

I’m a hardworking mom who knows what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet week after week. I’ve lived in the 24th District my entire life, and I don’t want to be forced out of the place I call home because of poor decisions being made in Hartford.

My experience in small business, our schools, and town government has taught me that every decision has consequences. What may look good on paper in Hartford can create real financial burdens for families, businesses, and our towns. We need to stop blindly passing legislation without fully understanding who it impacts, what it costs, and who ends up paying the bill.

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

It’s time for more balance in Hartford and a government that truly represents the people, not just one political party. I’m proud to have also earned the endorsement of the Independent Party of Connecticut.

I’ve called the 24th District home my entire life, and it would be an absolute honor to represent the people of Danbury, New Fairfield, and Ridgefield. I will always put the people I represent first, regardless of political party.