Connecticut House of Representatives District 17 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Connecticut, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Connecticut House of Representatives District 17 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Connecticut House of Representatives District 17

Incumbent Eleni Kavros DeGraw defeated Heather Maguire in the general election for Connecticut House of Representatives District 17 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Eleni Kavros DeGraw (D / Working Families Party / Independent Party)	56.9	7,010
		Heather Maguire (R)	43.1	5,306

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 12,316
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Heather Maguire (R)

Affordability - As I talk to people on the trail, the escalating cost of living in Connecticut is the number one concern for our voters. Many are considering moves out of state because they find Connecticut becoming increasingly unaffordable. One of my main focuses when I am elected is to work to reduce taxes, repeal excessive taxes on our businesses, and look to make state government more efficient. With responsible budgeting and public accountability practices, we can bring the expansive and wasteful costs of state government under control, with out forcing the burden onto our taxpayers.

Public safety-I will support the laws and policies that protect our communities and support our police. I have been endorsed by both the Connecticut Fraternal Order of Police and the Connecticut State Police Union. I am honored to receive the endorsement and I am grateful for their confidence in me. I will work to protect police officers and prosecutors from frivolous lawsuits and provide the equipment training and support to allow police officers to effectively prevent and deter crime. I would expand funding and laws to provide services and support for crime victims and I would work to fix legal loopholes that allow convicted criminals to escape justice and exploit the system.

Maintaining local Control of our government is critically important. Local government is the closest to the people that they serve. Your elected officials are your neighbors and friends, they live in your community and share many of the same issues and concerns you do. Over the last few years, we have seen the state dictating an ever-increasing number of mandates with little consideration for town government, local character, or cost issues, including attempts to forcibly regionalize schools, by-passing local zoning laws and imposing financial obligations on our communities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Heather Maguire (R)

The areas that I am most passionate about are protecting our community, improving government transparency, ensuring effective spending and providing support for education.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Heather Maguire (R)

Representing the viewpoints of all your constituents and not just those you agree with. It is essential to listen and work towards finding solutions that best serve the community.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Heather Maguire (R)

.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Heather Maguire (R)

Gala Shoe Store in Baldwin, New York. I worked there for about 5 years. I started in High School and worked there during the summers when I came home from college.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Heather Maguire (R)

Yes, working in a municipal government provides the backbone that is needed when elected as a state legislator. When governing in the municipal capacity you understand first-hand the impact of your decisions on the community.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Heather Maguire (R)

Yes, It is important to understand the needs and concerns of citizens throughout Connecticut in order to effectively govern for the State.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Heather Maguire (R)

No, I am interested in keeping this local to Canton and Avon. I have no further political aspirations.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Heather Maguire (R)

Two main pillars of our democracy are separation of powers and checks and balances. When our State Legislature surrenders complete control to the Governor it undermined these two tenants of our democracy. Yes, it is imperative for our democracy that the State Legislature overseas and limits the use of emergency powers.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Heather Maguire (R)

Yes, It is absolutely required to ensure that the needs of all our constituents are heard and met.

See also

More about these elections:

• Connecticut House of Representatives elections, 2022

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