Patch Candidate Profile: Cheryl Hilton For 80th State House

Editor's Note: Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The 2026 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 Connecticut gubernatorial 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.

Southington Democrat Cheryl Hilton is challenging state Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, R-Wolcott, for the 80th State House District seat.

The 80th State House District is composed of parts of Southington and Wolcott.

Candidate's Name:
Cheryl Hilton

What office are you seeking?
State Representative

Age:
56

District:
80th

Party:
Democratic

Campaign website:
https://cherylhilton.com

Occupation:
Public Health

Family:
Yes

Does anyone in your family work in government?
No

Previous public office:
N/A

Why are you seeking this office?
I am running for State Representative because I believe every family deserves the opportunity to thrive, every child deserves access to an excellent education, and every community deserves a voice at the Capitol.

Throughout my career, I have worked at the intersection of health care, education, and community well-being. I've spent years bringing people together, building partnerships, and advocating for those whose voices are too often overlooked. Whether working to improve health outcomes, support families, advocate for children with IEPs and 504 plans, or expand educational opportunities, my focus has always been on creating stronger, healthier communities.

I am seeking office because I see the challenges families are facing every day. The rising cost of living, increasing energy costs, concerns about public education, access to health care, and the need to better support seniors all require practical solutions and responsive leadership.

I believe government works best when it listens to the people it serves. As a State Representative, I will be an accessible, collaborative, and independent voice for our district. I will work to ensure our schools are properly funded, particularly special education, support policies that keep Connecticut affordable for working families and seniors, and advocate for investments that strengthen the health and economic well-being of our communities.

Most importantly, I am running because I care deeply about this community and want to help build a Connecticut where every resident, regardless of age, income, or circumstance, has the opportunity to succeed.

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

Families are doing everything they're supposed to do. They're working hard, raising their children, caring for aging parents, and contributing to their communities, yet many are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet.

The cost of housing, electricity, health care, childcare, groceries, and other everyday necessities continues to rise.

Seniors living on fixed incomes are often forced to make impossible choices between buying food, paying their utility bills, or filling the prescriptions they need to stay healthy.

Young families are increasingly questioning whether they can afford to build their future here in Connecticut.

At the same time, our towns are under growing pressure to provide essential services while trying to keep property taxes manageable.

We need practical solutions that make Connecticut more affordable and ensure that families, seniors, and communities can not only get by, but thrive.

Addressing affordability requires more than a single solution.

It means taking a comprehensive approach. As a State Representative, I will advocate for policies that reduce the financial burden on residents, including lowering energy costs, supporting housing options for working families and seniors, strengthening access to healthcare, and ensuring municipalities receive the support they need so costs are not continually shifted onto local property taxpayers.

Education is also part of the affordability conversation. I've spent more than a decade advocating for children with IEPs and 504 plans, and I know that when the state underfunds special education, the burden often falls on local taxpayers. Properly funding special education supports students while helping communities manage costs more effectively.

Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?
Connecticut's soaring energy costs are one of the biggest affordability challenges facing our residents. As a State Representative, I will focus on the policies that can help bring relief to families, seniors, and small businesses.

I will advocate for greater transparency and accountability in how utility rates are set, ensuring residents understand what they are paying for and that costs passed on to ratepayers are justified. I will support efforts to reduce unnecessary costs on electric bills and make sure working families and seniors are not carrying an unfair burden.

I will also work to expand access to energy-efficiency programs that help residents lower their monthly bills through weatherization, insulation, and more efficient heating and cooling systems.

Finally, I will support a long-term energy strategy that prioritizes affordability, reliability, and a diverse energy supply, including responsible investments in renewable energy that can provide cost-effective options for consumers.

My goal is simple: to make Connecticut more affordable so families can stay here, seniors can age with dignity, and residents don't have to worry that their next electric bill will strain their household budget.

Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?
I believe affordability is the issue that touches nearly every challenge facing Connecticut residents. When families struggle to pay their electric bills, afford housing, access healthcare, or cover child care costs, it affects their quality of life and their ability to plan for the future.

As a State Representative, I will approach affordability in a comprehensive way. I will work to address rising energy costs through greater accountability and transparency, support policies that expand housing options for working families and seniors, and advocate for access to affordable healthcare and mental health services.

I will also fight for proper funding of public education, particularly special education.

Having advocated for children with IEPs and 504 plans for more than a decade, I have seen firsthand how underfunding special education creates challenges for students, families, schools, and local taxpayers alike. When the state meets its responsibilities, it helps both children and communities succeed.

Equally important, I will work to bring more state resources back to the 80th District. Our municipalities should not be forced to choose between reducing services and raising property taxes. By securing fair state investments in education, infrastructure, public safety, and community services, we can help relieve pressure on local budgets and reduce the need to pass increasing costs on to property taxpayers.

I believe we must also support our seniors, many of whom are living on fixed incomes and facing impossible choices between food, medication, utilities, and housing costs. Connecticut should be a place where people can age with dignity and remain active members of their communities.

Throughout my career, I have brought people together to solve problems in healthcare, education, and community well-being. I will bring that same collaborative approach to Hartford.

My goal is to make Connecticut a place where families can afford to stay, businesses can grow, seniors can thrive, and every child has the opportunity to succeed.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I believe my career has prepared me well to serve as a State Representative because I've spent years bringing people together to solve complex community challenges.

In my role leading regional community health and well-being initiatives, I work at the intersection of health care, education, government, nonprofits, and business, building partnerships that improve outcomes for individuals and families across Connecticut.

I have successfully led collaborative efforts involving health care providers, schools, community organizations, businesses, and public officials to address issues ranging from maternal health and educational access to community investment and health equity. This experience has taught me how to build consensus, navigate complex systems, and turn ideas into action.

For more than a decade, I have also advocated for children with IEPs and 504 plans, helping families navigate educational systems and access the services and supports they need. That work has given me first-hand insight into the challenges facing students, families, educators, and local communities.

Throughout my career, I have secured resources, developed strategic partnerships, leveraged funding opportunities, and aligned stakeholders around shared goals. I understand that meaningful change happens when people work together, and that's the approach I will bring to Hartford.

Whether it's improving health care access, strengthening public education, supporting seniors, or helping municipalities secure the resources they need, my focus has always been on delivering practical solutions that make communities stronger. I will bring that same collaborative, results-oriented mindset to serving the residents of the 80th District.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I want voters to know that I am not running for office to be a politician. I am running to be a problem-solver.

My entire career has been dedicated to bringing people together, building partnerships, and advocating for individuals and families who need a voice. Whether it's helping a child access special education services, improving community health, supporting seniors, or connecting resources to those who need them most, my focus has always been on making a meaningful difference in people's lives.

I believe government works best when it listens, collaborates, and delivers results.

If elected, I will be accessible, accountable, and focused on the issues that matter most: affordability, strong public schools, support for seniors, quality health care, and ensuring our communities have the resources they need to thrive.

I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I do know how to bring the right people to the table, build consensus, and get things done. That's what I've done throughout my career, and that's what I will do as your State Representative.

I am running because I believe the people of the 80th District deserve a strong voice in Hartford, and I would be honored to earn your trust, your support, and your vote.