Election 2022: Meet 101st House District Rep. John-Michael Parker

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns. Incumbent Democrat state Rep. John-Michael Parker shares his views.

MADISON, CT —The 2022 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 gubernatorial election, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs. All five of Connecticut’s congressional seats, plus one U.S. Senate seat, 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

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

John-Michael Parker, a Madison resident, is running for State Representative, 101st House District

Campaign website

Find out what’s happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Let’s go!

https://www.jmp4ct.com

Party affiliation

Democrat, Independent, Working Families

Education

Yale University, BA

Occupation

Non-profit Executive Director, 4 years

Family

Joyce Gendler, wife, therapist

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

34

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Yes, State Representative, 101, elected 2020

Why are you seeking this office?

It’s been an extraordinary privilege to serve my community—and while I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the past two years, there’s so much more work to be done. From defending reproductive rights to investing in our schools and communities, strengthening gun violence prevention to protecting our environment and ensuring our economy remains resilient, there are many issues critical to the people of Madison and Durham that I hope to continue working on next session.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Overall, nurturing our state’s economy so that we are able to invest in communities is our most pressuring issue. We must ensure young people can get a great education—and a great job in CT; we must ensure young families can find a home and start their futures here; we must ensure businesses can thrive; and we must ensure seniors can afford to retire and stay in the community they’ve helped build. We’ll do this by continuing to be fiscally responsible with paying down debt and preparing for an uncertain future, while focusing spending on the most impactful programs and communities in the greatest need.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Over the last two years as State Representative of the 101st I’ve built relationships with critical partners across the legislature and state government which will put me in a unique position to continue delivering for Madison and Durham. As a former educator and the leader of a statewide education nonprofit, I have first-hand experience with a number of critical concerns—from schools to economic development. And I have a proven track record of defending some of the most urgent issues our country faces: reproductive rights, gun violence prevention, environmental protection, and defending our democracy.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

n/a

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Addressing Children’s Mental Health Needs
Cutting Taxes to Combat Inflation
Keeping CT Safe with Juvenile Justice Reform
Maintaining CT’s Fiscal Integrity
Advancing Environmentally Conscious Initiatives

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

As a freshman legislator I led the passage of HB 5430, An Act Concerning Opioids, legislation that passed with unanimous bipartisan support that codifies a number of critical policies to combat the opioid epidemic in the state, including the expansion of evidence-based treatments and harm reduction measures. I also helped secure over $5M in state funding for projects across the district, including: Academy Community Center, Durham Public Library, Garvan Point, Durham Town Website, American Legion Post #79, Madison Cultural Arts. I’m a Co-Founder of the Connecticut Future Caucus, a bipartisan group of young elected officials working to engage youth in civic life and fight for policies impacting our future, and a leader of Arts, Culture, and Tourism Caucus, fighting for reliable, predictable, equitable funding for a sector that supports critical economic and community development. Lastly, I voted to cut over $650 million in taxes with a balanced budget that creates a Child Tax Credit, cuts property taxes for retirees, cuts the car tax, extends the gas tax cut, extends free bus service, cuts pension and annuity taxes.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

At the end of a long day in the state capitol, you have to be able to look yourself in the mirror and trust in your own integrity.

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

I’m so grateful to have been given this opportunity to serve the community I love, and I hope to be able to earn your continued trust this year. Thank you!

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