Brooke Hopkins was unanimously endorsed on May 21 as the Republican candidate for state representative in the 114th House District, which includes parts of Orange, Woodbridge, Derby and Hamden.
Hopkins accepted the nomination with a message that the communities of the 114th District need a stronger voice in Hartford to stand up against mass housing mandates.
“Woodbridge, Orange, Derby and Hamden should not have their future dictated by one-size-fits-all mandates from Hartford,” said Hopkins. “We all care about making Connecticut more affordable, but affordability cannot come by stripping local communities of their voice. Our towns know their roads, schools, infrastructure, neighborhoods and residents better than Hartford does. I am running because our communities deserve someone who will stand up for local control and fight back when state policy ignores the people who actually live here.”
Hopkins also pointed to Connecticut’s rising cost of living, especially utility rates, as a major concern for families, seniors and young people trying to remain in the state.
“People are being squeezed from every direction,” Hopkins said. “Gas prices are rising, utility bills are too high, groceries cost more and families are being asked to absorb the impact of decisions they had no real say in. Connecticut needs to become a place where people can afford to stay, not a place that keeps pushing families and young people away.”
She will face incumbent Democrat Mary Welander, who is in her third term, in the November election. The seat was held by Republican Themis Klarides prior to 2021.
Hopkins has lived in Woodbridge for 19 years and has three children in the Amity district schools. She is a social worker with 30 years of experience working in the mental health field in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
She founded the Kelly Ryan Foundation in 2012, which raised more than $150,000 for families in need to assist in burying their children. She later co-founded CT Youth Resources, which works with at-risk youth and families.
She also serves as an adjunct faculty advisor, admissions coordinator and practicum instructor to students at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work.
Daniel Mowerman of Woodbridge placed Hopkins’ name into nomination and focused his remarks on the impact of Hartford’s housing mandates on local communities.
“Woodbridge, Orange and Derby are facing real pressure from Hartford’s affordable housing mandates,” said Mowerman. “These policies take power away from local residents and local leaders, and they give too much control to developers with too little regard for the towns being affected. Brooke understands that we can support affordability without giving up local control. As a younger resident, I want our towns to remain places where people my age want to move, build a life, raise a family and stay. Brooke is the kind of leader who will fight to keep our communities desirable, affordable and locally controlled.”
Judy Szewczyk of Derby seconded the nomination, emphasizing the need for relief from the growing cost of living in Connecticut.
“Families in Derby, Woodbridge, Orange and Hamden are tired of paying more and more just to live in Connecticut,” said Szewczyk. “Utility bills, taxes, costs and everyday expenses have become too much for too many people. Brooke understands that affordability is not a slogan. It is whether seniors can stay in their homes, whether young families can settle here and whether working people can get ahead. She will bring a practical voice to Hartford and put the needs of our communities first.”
Hopkins said her campaign will focus on protecting local decision-making, opposing harmful state housing mandates, lowering the cost of living, and addressing utility costs that continue to burden Connecticut residents.
“Government should be working for the people, not against them. Our communities have had negative experiences with their state government recently, but I hope our voters won’t judge a Brooke by her cover,” Hopkins said. “I have spent my life working with families, listening to people and solving problems. I am ready to bring that same approach to Hartford and fight for Woodbridge, Orange, Derby and Hamden.”