Callahan seeks third term in 108th District
NEW FAIRFIELD — Republican Patrick Callahan is seeking a third term as state representative for Connecticut’s 108th House District.
The longtime New Fairfield resident has served the district — which includes all of New Fairfield and Sherman, as well as parts of Danbury and New Milford — since defeating Democrat Danette Onofrio in the 2020 legislative election and Democrat Jeff Ginsburg in 2022.
Callahan, who announced his run for a third term Thursday, said he will continue to advocate for lower taxes, local education and business affordability if reelected this November.
“I am proud to be the voice of my neighbors up in Hartford and want to continue fighting for the greater Danbury area, to make Connecticut more affordable, common sense solutions to make our economy stronger,” he said. “We made some good strides this session to lower state income taxes and ease the fiscal cliff on retiree pensions, but there is more we can do for Connecticut families.”
In addition to introducing and garnering support for a bill to protect minors from harmful communications online during his current term in office, Callahan sought a resolution to hazardous traffic conditions around Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield. His bill establishing a safety capacity at the park was signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont last year.
With public safety, fiscal responsibility, affordable energy and the environment among his top priorities, Callahan says he’s proud of what he has accomplished and wants to keep the momentum going.
Fighting to stop a ban on gaspowered vehicles sales in Connecticut
is important to him, Callahan said.
“This is about choice. Government shouldn’t be telling families what type of car they can or cannot drive,” he said. “Right now, we don’t have the infrastructure in place to have all electric vehicles on the roads by 2035. I have many concerns about the ability and affordability of the plan that’s currently being discussed.”
Callahan — who serves as a ranking member of the legislature’s Environment Committee and a member of its Judiciary and Appropriations committees — received a 100 percent voting record for the 2023 legislative session and was recognized by the Connecticut Business Industry Association for his pro-business voting record.
Before becoming a state representative, Callahan served as chief probation officer at Danbury’s courthouse, coached youth football and lacrosse, was a longtime member of the Candlewood Lake Authority — including 10 years as chair — and also served on New Fairfield’s Ethics Committee and Planning Commission.