Government Affairs
The Legislative Committee works hard as the Chamber’s voice on important public policy issues in the State of Connecticut. The committee is comprised of Chamber members from a wide variety of professional fields including attorneys, government relations professionals, developers, physicians, accountants, insurance professionals, banking professionals and small business owners.
The Legislative Committee is responsible for creating the Chamber’s Public Policy Agenda on a yearly basis and develops testimony and position statements on important issues under consideration at the state level.
The Legislative Committee hosts five major legislative events every year: The Legislative Breakfast with the Middlesex County legislative delegation, and leadership events with leaders from both parties of the House and Senate.
The Legislative Committee meets on the third Friday of each month, at 8:00 AM, in the Chamber Conference Room. For more information, please contact Chris Cambareri at 860-347-6924 or chris@middlesexchamber.com.
This year’s legislative session underscored both the scale and significance of Connecticut’s policymaking process. During the 2026 session, more than 1,100 bills were introduced, with 218 measures passing both chambers and now awaiting action by Governor Ned Lamont. This volume of legislation reinforces why sustained advocacy and awareness remain essential. The Middlesex Chamber will continue monitoring developments through adjournment and beyond, keeping members informed and engaged as final decisions are made that will shape the state’s business climate.
Throughout the session, the Middlesex Chamber submitted written testimony on nearly 20 bills and closely tracked hundreds of additional proposals with potential impacts on our members and the broader business community. I would like to extend a special thank you to our Legislative Committee Co-Chairs, Linda Kowalski of Rome Smith Kowalski and Maureen Westbrook, as well as the entire committee, for their dedication, insight, and steadfast support throughout this short but robust session.
State Senators
Matthew Lesser (D)
- District 9: Cromwell, Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield
- Deputy Majority Leader
- Phone: 860-240-0511
- Email: lesser@senatedems.ct.gov
- Committees: Chair: Human Services; Vice Chair: Veterans;
- Member: Appropriations; Human Services (Chair); Insurance & Real Estate; Judiciary; Labor & Public Employees; Veterans' Affairs (Vice Chair)
- More Information
Christine Cohen (D)
- District 12: Branford, Durham, East Haven, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison, Middlefield, North Branford, Rockfall
- Deputy President Pro Tempore
- Phone: 860-240-0455
- Email: cohen@senatedems.ct.gov
- Committees: Children (Vice Chair); Environment; Finance, Revenue & Bonding; Higher Education & Employer Advancement; Transportation (Chair)
- More Information
Jan Hochadel (D)
- District 13: Cheshire, Meriden, Middlefield, Middletown
- Deputy Majority Leader
- Phone: 860-240-0584
- Email: hochadel@senatedems.ct.gov
- Committees: Aging (Chair); Banking; Environment (Vice Chair); Housing; Public Health
- More Information
Martha Marx (D)
- District 20: Bozrah, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem, Waterford
- Deputy Majority Leader
- Phone: 860-240-0436
- Email: marx@senatedems.ct.gov
- Committees: Aging; Appropriations; Children; Housing (Chair); Insurance & Real Estate; Public Health (Vice Chair)
- More Information
Norm Needleman (D)
- District 33: Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, Westbrook
- Deputy President Pro Tempore
- Phone: (860) 240-0428
- Email: needleman@senatedems.ct.gov
- Committees: Commerce; Energy & Technology (Chair); Finance, Revenue & Bonding; Planning & Development (Vice Chair); Transportation
- More Information
Paul Cicarella (R)
- District 34: Durham, East Haven, Northford, North Haven, Wallingford
- Senior Deputy Republican Leader
- Phone: (860) 240-8800
- Email: Paul.Cicarella@cga.ct.gov
- Committees: General Law (Ranking Member); Government Oversight; Judiciary; Legislative Management; Public Safety & Security (Ranking Member); Regulation Review; Veterans' Affairs
- More Information
State Representatives
Devin Carney (R)
- District 23: Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Westbrook
- House Republican Policy Chairman
- Phone: (860) 240-8700
- Email: Devin.Carney@housegop.ct.gov
- Committees: Education; Finance, Revenue & Bonding; Government Oversight (Ranking Member); Transportation
- More Information
Kerry Wood (D)
- District 29: Rocky Hill, Wethersfield
- Phone: (860) 240-8585
- Email: Kerry.Wood@cga.ct.gov
- Committees: Commerce; Finance, Revenue & Bonding; Insurance & Real Estate (Chair)
- More Information
Christie Carpino (R)
- District 32: Cromwell, Portland
- House Republican Caucus Chairman
- Phone: 860-240-8700
- Email: Christie.Carpino@housegop.ct.gov
- Committees: Government Administration & Elections; Public Health; Regulation Review (Ranking Member)
- More Information
Brandon Chafee (D)
- District 33: Middletown
- Phone: (860) 240-8585
- Email: Brandon.Chafee@cga.ct.gov
- Committees: Environment, Planning & Development (Vice Chair)
- More Information
Irene Haines (R)
- District 34: East Haddam, East Hampton, Salem
- Phone: (860) 240-8700
- Email: irene.haines@housegop.ct.gov
- Committees: Higher Education (Ranking Member); Planning & Development; Education
- More Information
Chris Aniskovich (R)
- District 35: Clinton, Killingworth, Westbrook
- Phone: (860) 240-8700
- Email: Chris.Aniskovich@housegop.ct.gov
- Committees: Banking; Commerce (Ranking Member); General Law
- More Information
Renee LaMark Muir (D)
- District 36: Chester, Deep River, Essex, Haddam
- Phone: (860) 240-8585
- Email: Renee.LaMarkMuir@cga.ct.gov
- Committees: Judiciary; Planning & Development; Public Safety & Security
- More Information
Vincent Candelora (R)
- District 86: Durham, East Haven, Guilford, North Branford
- House Republican Leader
- Phone: 860-240-8700
- Email: Vincent.Candelora@housegop.ct.gov
- Committees: Legislative Management
- More Information
Craig Fishbein (R)
- District 90: Middlefield, Wallingford
- Phone: 860-240-8700
- Email: Craig.Fishbein@housegop.ct.gov
- Committees: Judiciary (Ranking Member); Public Safety & Security; Regulation Review
- More Information
Kai Belton (D)
- District 100: Middletown
- Phone: (860) 240-8585
- Email: Kai.Belton@cga.ct.gov
- Committees: Appropriations; Children; Public Health (Vice Chair)
- More Information
John-Michael Parker (D)
- District 101: Durham, Madison
- Assistant Majority Leader
- Phone: (860) 240-8543
- Email: Johnmichael.Parker@cga.ct.gov
- Committees: Education; Environment (Chair); Public Health
- More Information
Connecticut’s Congressional Delegation
US Senators
Sen. Chris Murphy (D)
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D)
Committees:
- Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs
- Armed Services
- Veterans’ Affairs
US Representatives
Congressman John Larson (D)
- 1st Congressional District
- Committees: The Committee on Ways and Means
- Contact Information
Congressman Joe Courtney (D)
- 2nd Congressional District
- Committees: Armed Services Committee, Education and Workforce Committee
- Contact Information
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D)
- 3rd Congressional District
- Committees: Appropriations
- Contact Information
Congressman Jim Himes (D)
- 4th Congressional District
- Committees: Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Financial Services Committee
- Contact Information
Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (D)
- 5th Congressional District
- Committees: Education and Workforce Committee
- Contact Information