Connecticut House of Representatives District 47 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 47 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Connecticut House of Representatives District 47

Incumbent Doug Dubitsky defeated Dave Nowakowski in the general election for Connecticut House of Representatives District 47 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Doug Dubitsky (R)	60.3	5,992
		Dave Nowakowski (D / Working Families Party)	39.7	3,947

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,939
= 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?

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

Education: I am in favor of pre-K, fully supporting our public schools and teachers, as well as state vocational technical schools, and seek to make tuition at state universities affordable for all CT students.

Women's Reproductive Rights: While not truly considered a state issue until this election, I am fully supportive of the rights of all women to make decisions regarding their own body. While there may be some legislators who, despite past votes on related issues, may say that CT is in no risk of losing our pro-choice status, be reminded that there were a pair of recent justices who claimed that Roe v Wade was settled law...until they had the votes to overturn it.

Cost of Living & Budget: The current Lamont administration has worked to reduce taxes and to provide child tax credits, while transforming a huge deficit into a surplus that will allow us to continue to pay down long-term debt, rather than burdening our children and grandchildren. We must also work to ensure that large corporations and the top 1% are paying their fair share, rather than exploiting loopholes.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

In addition to education, having grown up in rural eastern CT, with my first job picking tomatoes at a local farm, I want to ensure that our part of the state continues to support farms and open space, while at the same time affording them the opportunity to utilize their land as they see fit, such as wind energy. I am also a believer in common sense gun legislation, for while I support hunters and the right of an individual to protect themselves, I support the progress CT has made in making us safer as a whole.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

The late singer-songwriter Harry Chapin was an influence, for while I initially was drawn to his music, I grew to admire his social stance regarding hunger, with his habit of playing half his shows for charity. My other greatest influences growing up were teachers and coaches, from the kindness of my elementary school teachers to the character building of my high school wrestling coach, Carl Snitkin. However, with my mother passing away when I was only 5, I try to do things that would make my late grandmother proud, as Millie Ford was always there for me when I was growing up, setting a great example.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

Local author Wally Lamb has written some great novels, but my venture into politics, as a small business owner, can be traced to not his discussion with Oprah, but rather with Puppet Wally. Worth a look. https://www.facebook.com/profile/100044181648515/search/?q=puppet

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

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

Being a decent human being who cares about other people.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

The 1972 Olympics, when I was 7, are memorable for both the achievements of swimmer Mark Spitz and the tragedy of the terrorists murdering 11 in Munich.

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

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

Picking tomatoes at a local farm in Preston for 2 summers, until I was old enough to get a job at Strawberry Park Campground.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

The Princess Bride. Both the book and movie are equally enjoyable, which is rare.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

Hooked on a Feeling (Blue Swede version). Ooh ga cha cha.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

While it may depend on which party controls the legislature and which party is in the gov's office, I would hope that there would be a greater level of cooperation between the opposing sides, as currently, it is rare for some of the representatives to support anything that originated with the other party...or may be seen as a "win" for a governor on the other side of the aisle. This trickle-down style of politics from Washington does not benefit the citizens of our state.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

Keeping the newest members in our workforce in CT, both in terms of jobs, housing and recreational options that may draw them elsewhere.

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

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

I think a mix is good. My opponent stated that there are too many lawyers and folks who live in their parents' basement in the legislature...and this might be one of the only things on which I agree with Attorney Dubitsky. On one hand, there needs to be some experienced guidance, but it should be coupled with some new ideas from more regular folks seeking office.

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

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

As a rookie, I will need some serious guidance from other legislators. Fortunately, there have been a few current office-holders who have helped me in this election process, and I will continue to count on their advice. I have always worked well with members of other parties in my experience with the Board of Ed, and have good working relationships with top officials in many towns, regardless of their affiliation. I would expect to interact well with most fellow legislators, but there are a select few who just don't seem able to play well with others, and I would not expect much cooperation from those.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

Better geometry, for sure. Currently, there seems to be a great priority in maintaining the viability of incumbents from either party (for example, my district of CT 47 cut out Hampton and picked up parts of Plainfield and Brooklyn, yet maintained Chaplin, which only hangs on by a thread to the rest of the district...but happens to be the home of our current representative). I strongly believe that small towns should not be split into multiple districts, even if that means some modification to the allocations that would permit a little more latitude in the population splits. The new 47th includes all of 4 towns and parts of 4 others, which defies common sense.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

State Senator Cathy Osten has been incredibly valuable to the people of eastern Connecticut, including those from local towns that are not even part of her district.

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

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

Not likely. Would love to repurpose my signs that include Nowa and the 47th, but guessing that the next resident of the Oval Office will be someone other than me (despite what my youngest may think possible).

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

Dave Nowakowski (Democratic, Working Families)

yes

See also

More about these elections:

• Connecticut House of Representatives elections, 2022

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