Candidate Profile: Michelle Embree Ku, 106th State House District

NEWTOWN, CT — Michelle Embree Ku, a Democrat, is running for Connecticut's 106th State House District in the Nov. 3 general election.

Ku is challenging incumbent Republican state Rep. Mitch Bolinsky for the seat, which represents a portion of Newtown.

Patch asked candidates running in the 2026 election to answer questions about their backgrounds, priorities and positions on issues affecting Connecticut residents.

Here are Ku's responses to Patch's candidate questionnaire.

Candidate's Name:

Michelle Embree Ku

What office are you seeking?

State House of Representatives

Age:

59

District:

106th

Party:

Democrat

Campaign website:

https://kuisforyou.com/

Occupation:

Regulatory Submissions Scientist

Family:

My husband, Warren, and I raised our three boys here in Newtown. They attended Newtown’s public schools. We were fortunate to have my parents nearby as the kids grew, and my mother now lives in Southbury.

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No

Previous public office:

• Legislative Council (2025-current, and 2021-2023)

• Board of Selectmen (2023-2025)

• Newtown Board of Education (2013-2021, Chair 2017-2021)

• EdAdvance Regional Education Service Center, Board of Directors (2013-2020, President 2020, Vice President 2018-19)

• Representative to CSDE/RESC Alliance Regional Advisory Team to examine return to school during COVID (2020)

• Co-Chair of the State of Connecticut General Assembly’s Task Force to Study Life Threatening Food Allergies in Schools (2016)

• Member of Newtown Charter Revision Commission (2012)

Why are you seeking this office?

While serving in office locally, I have been part of addressing the challenges Newtown faces that are affected by decisions in Hartford - budgeting, planning and zoning, traffic patterns, education, and preservation of open space. I have advocated in Hartford - for Newtown's education funding, gun violence prevention, quality public education, school resource officers, and better school building air quality, but I want do more - to be a strong voice for Newtown in the room where policy is being formed and funding allocation is decided.

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

Everyone recognizes that affordability is an issue – energy, childcare, food, and housing ALL need to be addressed. I have a special interest in health care, not only because of my background, but also because it will be one of our biggest challenges in the near future. Costs are climbing, coverage is slipping away, and the research behind tomorrow’s treatments is under strain.

More and more people are losing health care coverage, and those who are covered are deterred from going to regular healthcare visits because of difficulty finding and keeping their provider, as well as rising deductibles and co-pays. When people lose coverage, they skip preventive care and end up in emergency rooms, and eventually we all pay through higher premiums and hospital costs.

As a PhD scientist, I also see what disappearing research funding does. UConn leaders report a $95 million hit from federal cuts, and Yale reported that 50 grants cancelled, and 22 partially cancelled or paused. That research supports lifesaving treatments as well as thousands of Connecticut jobs.

Connecticut can’t fix Washington, but we can improve our own healthcare system by looking to states that do it well like Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I will support the “Connecticut Option” proposed by Comptroller Sean Scanlon and Governor Lamont to leverage the state's negotiating power to lower costs. I will enforce the new limits on private equity control of hospitals so we never repeat the Prospect collapse, and I will support investing in the research that keeps Connecticut at the forefront of medicine.

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

Connecticut’s electric rates are among the highest in the country, and families and small businesses feel it every month. Regulators cut the public benefits charge this spring and supply rates fell in July, but Eversource recently asked for a major rate increase.

If there were simple answers, we would have done it already. My approach has three parts. First, we need increased supply. Fixed-price nuclear contracts are a big reason the public benefits charge fell. I’ll build on that by encouraging affordable renewable energy, storage, and grid upgrades, so we’re less exposed to swings in fossil-fuel prices. Second, ratepayers need a strong voice and PURA’s review of any request must be rigorous and transparent. Third, I’ll support efficiency and weatherization programs that continue to help families use less energy.

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

Affordability comes down to the bills families can’t negotiate. My priorities are health care and energy, as described above. Addressing these will not only help ease home budgets, but also our property taxes, since a good portion of property tax increases in Newtown have recently been driven by health care costs, for staff, and energy costs to run buildings and equipment. Additionally, on property taxes, the state must relieve local budgets by honoring its education commitments and fixing special education funding.

For working families, I’ll support expanded access to child care and pre-kindergarten. To expand housing options, I will support the development of housing that is affordable, prioritize state grants for projects that make use of existing infrastructure, and promote policies that encourage and incentivize local solutions rather than impose one-size-fits-all mandates. Connecticut can make housing more attainable while respecting the role of local planning and zoning in shaping our communities.

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

I’ve enjoyed serving in municipal government for 14 years. This has provided me the opportunity to work at the state level as well. I co-chaired the General Assembly’s Task Force to Study Life-Threatening Food Allergies in Schools. And as Board of Education chair during COVID, I worked with the state Department of Education and regional education service centers on how to return students safely to classrooms. I’ve advocated in Hartford for Newtown’s education funding, school safety, and resources for our town. I know how to work with others and get things done in times of need.

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

I’m a working scientist. I prepare regulatory submissions for a living, so I look for evidence, ask hard questions, and I’m not satisfied until the numbers add up. I’m not a career politician. I came to Newtown 17 years ago, raised three children here, and after December 14, 2012, I committed myself to this community’s recovery. I’ve served on boards where Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated neighbors sit at one table, and I’ve learned that the best way to get things done is to listen first and then weigh the risks and benefits. In Hartford, I’ll bring that same approach: do my homework, work with any legislator, regardless of party, and keep Newtown’s costs, schools, and safety front and center.