Candidate Name
Anthony Afriyie
I’m a Stratford Town Councilor and a first-generation Ghanaian-American, born in the Bronx & raised in Stratford.
After graduating during the pandemic, I served with AmeriCorps NCCC, working alongside the National Guard and the Red Cross and contributing to disaster recovery, conservation efforts, and urban development.
I then interned with the Bridgeport Small Minority and Women Business Enterprise, former Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, & the CT General Assembly, I am now a Congressional staffer for Rep. Rosa DeLauro in her CT office, and I previously worked for Rep. John B. Larson.
For our communities, economy, and our young people to succeed, we need a strong, talented workforce. Right now, Connecticut has an aging workforce and plenty of vital, good-paying jobs that are going unfilled. Whether it’s building helicopters and submarines, protecting our communities as police officers and firefighters, or training new teachers to work in our public schools, I want people and businesses around the country to look at Connecticut as the state with the most talented workforce in the country. For that to happen, we need to develop job training pipelines and partnerships with companies around the state, and we also must establish apprenticeship programs for skilled trades.
The legislature plays a crucial role in addressing Connecticut’s housing shortage by implementing policies that expand affordable housing, streamline development, and provide financial relief to homeowners. We need to provide incentives such as tax breaks and low-interest loans to encourage private-sector investment in affordable housing while also cutting red tape in the permitting process to lower costs and accelerate construction. Additionally, I support property tax relief for working families and seniors so residents aren’t priced out of the communities they helped build. Finally, I believe we can create Land Banks that fix up blighted, distressed properties and turn them into assets for the community. By fostering public-private partnerships, we can ensure housing development meets demand without compromising community integrity. Housing is key to opportunity and economic growth, and the legislature must take proactive steps to en
I believe the General Assembly should take proactive steps to support small businesses by creating a fair economic environment, expanding access to capital, and investing in workforce development. We must implement targeted tax incentives that empower entrepreneurs and prevent local businesses from being overshadowed by large corporations. To address funding challenges, I support expanding small business loan programs and grants, particularly for startups and minority-owned enterprises. Additionally, I support workforce development initiatives that align education and training programs with the needs of a rapidly evolving economy. By fostering partnerships between schools, vocational programs, and businesses, we can equip workers with the necessary skills to drive economic growth. Ultimately, I believe in an economic policy rooted in fairness and opportunity, ensuring that prosperity is shared across all communities.
The two most urgent climate challenges facing Connecticut are flooding and coastal erosion caused by climate change. To address these issues, we need to invest in comprehensive flood mitigation and coastal resilience strategies. I’ll work to secure federal and state funding for flood barriers, seawalls, and natural buffers like wetlands to protect communities from rising sea levels and storm surges. We must also restore coastal ecosystems by investing in wetlands, dunes, and other habitats that enhance natural resilience while preserving biodiversity.
We also need investments in long-term sustainability. I would champion legislation promoting renewable energy development, energy efficiency programs, and green infrastructure projects to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. By advancing clean energy solutions, we can protect Connecticut’s coastal communities while creating new economic opportunities in the green energy sector.
I’m a strong advocate of energy efficiency programs, such as incentives for home weatherization, energy-efficient appliances, and smart grid technologies, to help residents reduce energy consumption and costs.
Additionally, I would push for greater oversight of utility companies to prevent excessive rate hikes and ensure fair pricing for consumers. This includes advocating for stronger regulations and increased transparency in utility rate-setting processes.
Expanding access to affordable healthcare, including mental health services, is essential to ensuring a healthier and more productive population. At the same time, investing in education—from well-funded K-12 schools to affordable public colleges and vocational training—will equip residents with the skills needed for high-paying jobs, strengthening the workforce and economy. To further support working families, tax relief measures should ease burdens on middle- and lower-income earners while offering incentives for small businesses and startups. By prioritizing these initiatives, Connecticut can foster a more equitable economy where opportunity is accessible to all.
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