Patch Candidate Profile: Cristin McCarthy Vahey, 133rd House District

FAIRFIELD, CT — Election Day is Nov. 3, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Fairfield and Bridgeport.

To help educate readers about the state's election, Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns, and about the issues that are facing the community and the state.

Candidate's Name:

Cristin McCarthy Vahey

What office are you seeking?

State Representative

Age:

56

District:

133

Party:

Democrat

Campaign website:

https://www.cristinmccarthyvahey.com

Occupation:

I am a social worker currently serving as the State Representative for the 133rd district, which includes parts of Fairfield and Bridgeport. My experience and understanding of how policy impacts individuals, families, and communities has been invaluable for the work I do every day as a legislator.

Family:

My husband, Brian Vahey and I have been married for 31 years. We have three children, the youngest of whom is in college. All three attended Fairfield Public Schools.

Does anyone in your family work in government?

Nobody in my immediate family has paid work in politics or government. My husband, Brian Vahey, has served for years as a volunteer, previously leading the Fairfield Pension Board and currently chairing the Connecticut Municipal Employee Retirement Commission. Several members of my large extended family serve or have served in other states as police officers, fire fighters, teachers, government affairs, local government officials, and in the Judiciary.

Previous public office:

Fairfield Representative Town Meeting 2005-2011; Fairfield Board of Selectmen 2011-2014; Connecticut General Assembly 2015-Present

Why are you seeking this office?

As a Mom, social worker, and legislator, I have focused on bringing people together. The stories and experiences of my neighbors inform my work as a Representative dedicated to creating shared solutions and strong policy. Seniors wanting to downsize and remain in affordable homes in our communities, parents seeking equity in educational opportunity, small businesses struggling with the cost of healthcare, young people and families at risk of losing access to food (SNAP benefits) and medical care (Medicaid) - these are the people and situations that compel me to serve.

My experience building bridges and connections with stakeholders from all levels of government, parties and experiences help create a better life for the people I serve. That is why I continue to tackle some of our most challenging issues. As I have said before, service is the responsibility we have to one another and the privilege of democracy.

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

Seniors, working families, and students are struggling more and more every day to pay their bills. Our neighbors want to be healthy and safe, have access to quality educational opportunities, and be able to navigate a future shaped by AI.

Affordability must be tackled from multiple directions, including increasing housing choice, lowering healthcare costs, finding more affordable and sustainable energy options, and continuing to bring back resources to our local communities to ease property tax burdens.

Every community and every legislative committee will need to examine the role of AI in work, school and everyday life. As Public Health Co-Chair one of my priorities will be the use of AI in healthcare, including mental healthcare and young people.

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

War in the Middle East is wreaking havoc here in Connecticut and throughout the nation. Fuel prices have skyrocketed, and the strain Connecticut families feel at the pump will be felt even more for those residents who will struggle to heat their homes this winter. These are some of the many decisions being made at the national level having a direct impact on the wallets and well-being of every Connecticut resident.

When it comes to Connecticut electric bills, those include supply, transmission, local delivery and public policy charges. An August 2026 CT Mirror article breaks down each of these and outlines solutions for lowering costs in each area. Here are some of the steps I will prioritize:

• Encourage residents to participate in the Home Energy Solutions program by calling 877-947-3873. Public benefits charges subsidize this program which provides significant energy savings to families. Helping residents lower their energy demand is an important part of the solution.

• Support Transit Oriented Development (TOD) projects and smart development to increase walkability and decrease car travel.

• Invest in and incentivize renewables, including wind, such as the Revolutions Wind project the Trump administration tried to block, geothermal, solar, and battery storage options.

• Continue to hold energy companies accountable, creating greater transparency and minimizing rate impacts.

• Provide low-income energy assistance, especially for families facing steep increases in home heating oil this Fall and Winter.

• Improve regional collaboration and accountability with an emphasis on renewable projects.

There are no quick fix or simple solutions in a state with an aging grid, lack of natural gas reserves, geographical challenges, limited pipeline access, deregulation, and climbing demand in a population dense part of the country. We need to provide relief now to our hardest hit residents and continue to invest in the long-term renewable solutions that will help mitigate price fluctuations due to circumstances well beyond state or regional control.

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

Connecticut families face rising costs for housing, transportation, food, healthcare, energy, and childcare, with the largest share of budgets spent on housing. Approximately 30% of Fairfield households and just over 50% of Bridgeport households spend greater than 30% of their income on housing costs, leaving less for the other growing expenses. Students to seniors and everyone in between need more housing options. Whether it is housing that is smaller, more affordable, more accessible, closer to transit, or closer to work, we need solutions for our communities. I will continue to prioritize investments in supportive and affordable housing, incentivize municipalities to create choices their residents need, convene partners to address current barriers to housing choice, support renters facing eviction, and provide resources for shelter and homeless response.

I will advocate for investment in transit funding, replacement of the SNAP benefits cut by the federal government, and work on healthcare policy issues from supporting programs like Covered Connecticut and the state healthcare subsidies replacing the federal cuts to lowering prescription drug prices, streamlining healthcare facility approval processes, and providing partnership plan options for more residents. I will support continued investment in the Childcare endowment fund to assure free childcare for families making under $100,000.

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

Remaining curious, open to learning, and willing to listen are some of the most critical aspects of the work of a state legislator. Success is in working collaboratively with the dedicated and passionate residents of our communities, and connecting people to one another and the resources they need to thrive. I have been honored to be able to do this in countless small and large ways.

As a committee chair, I have achieved compromise, passing legislation on some contentious and difficult issues such as vaccine access and affordability.

I have been successful in bringing financial resources back to our communities, relieving the local property tax burden. From funding for sidewalks, school construction and operation, and special education, to roadway improvements, sewer infrastructure, flood mitigation, free school breakfast and lower taxes for working families and our seniors, I have championed the needs of the 133rd district, and our communities as a whole.

I have led passage of policies that help our communities remain healthy and strong, including Mental Health Parity laws, healthcare workforce safety and licensure bills, increased access to Maternal Health, improved cancer screenings and funding for 24/7 Mobile Crisis and youth urgent care centers.

Working collaboratively with my colleagues has resulted in many other solutions that help our neighbors, including additional funding for Greater Bridgeport Transit and first-time homebuyers, and the institution of early voting and no excuse absentee ballots.

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

In an era of division, online vitriol, and growing inequality, it is more important than ever that we work to forge connections with one another across our differences. The value of connection, ideally in person, remains at the center of the work I do. Staying connected with our community and helping us remain connected to one another is my priority.

I encourage residents to reach out with questions, concerns, and comments via cristin@cristinmccarthyvahey.com. I humbly ask for your support via absentee ballot, early voting October 19 through November 1, or on Election Day, November 3.