Election 2024 State Legislative Debate VIDEO: Full Debate or Individual Questions, GMW has Video for You

If you missed last night’s Wilton State Legislative Candidate Debates but want to hear from the candidates themselves, GOOD Morning Wilton has everything you need to learn where candidates stand and what they bring to the race.

Election Day 2024 is less than a month away, and this is one way GMW will let you hear directly from the candidates.

Below are videos from both of last night’s debates in various formats: one-hour complete debates for each race or question-by-question to compare how the candidates approach a specific topic or issue. (Check out our story about last night’s forum, here…)

The first debate was between candidates for State Representative 42nd District (Wilton and parts of Ridgefield and New Canaan) featuring Republican Kim Healy, a current Wilton Board of Selectmen member, and Democrat Savet Constantine, a longtime PTA leader.

The second debate was between candidates for the State Senate 26th District featuring  incumbent Democratic State Sen. Ceci Maher and challenger Republican Kami Evans, a marketing professional from Westport. The district includes Wilton, Darien, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Stamford, Weston and Westport.

These clips were taken from the livestream broadcast of the event, hosted by the Wilton Library, the Wilton League of Women Voters, and GOOD Morning Wilton. They have been edited only to trim away extraneous video; questions and answers have not been changed, cut or altered in any way.

Wilton State Legislative Candidate Debates — Two Hour Event, both Races

Wilton State Legislative Candidate Debate — State Representative 42nd District

Complete Debate

Q1: If elected, which committees would you request to be on, and why?

Q2: How do you think Connecticut should address housing affordability? Is there a housing affordability crisis, and should there be changes to 8-30g?

Q3: Transportation, especially commuting, has become increasingly difficult. What are some of the solutions you would propose to help with congested roads, to better traffic flow and to reduce accidents in Fairfield County?

Q4: What is your view on the state referendum to allow no excuse absentee ballots?

Q5: Do you support local autonomy concerning planning & zoning and education?

Q6: (Related) Question on unfunded mandates for town Boards of Education…

Q7: What ideas and plans do you have to address our citizens’ tax burden, and what steps would you take to reduce regulatory and tax burdens on small businesses?

Q8: What would you do with the legislature to address gun safety and gun violence?

Q9: If elected, what will be your first sponsored bill?

Closing Statements — State Rep. 42nd District Candidates

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Wilton State Legislative Candidate Debate — State Senate 26th District

Complete Debate

Q1: What would be the first bill you would like to sponsor, and why, if elected?

Q2: How do you think Connecticut should address housing affordability? Is there a housing affordability crisis, and should there be changes to 8-30g?

Q3: A fair number of your constituents depend upon commuter rail, and the state puts a lot of money into it. Our state senators should understand rail from first-hand experience. When was the last time you took MetroNorth to New York City? Will you commit to riding it at least a few times a year if elected? And have you ever ridden the Hartford line? If elected, would you commit to taking it to Hartford for the Connecticut General Assembly at least once per session, instead of driving?

Q4: What is your view on the state referendum to allow no-excuse absentee ballots?

Q5: Do you support local autonomy concerning planning & zoning and education?

Q6: What issue do you feel is most pressing for the local towns that you would represent?

Q7: What ideas and plans do you have to address our citizens’ tax burden, and what steps would you take to reduce regulatory and tax burdens on small businesses?

Q8: Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling and what are your thoughts on a national abortion ban?

Q9: What do you think the state should do to address climate change, to protect life and property?

Q10: As a candidate, are you concerned about the recent spike in electricity costs? How should our state address electricity rates?

Closing Statements — State Sen. 26th District Candidates