Connecticut Patch Candidate Profile: Jaime Foster For State Rep
ELLINGTON-EAST WINDSOR-VERNON, CT — Election Day on Nov. 5, 2024, is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Connecticut.Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the state and town.Candidate’s Name: Jaime FosterWhat office are you seeking? State RepresentativeDistrict: 57Campaign websiteWhat city or town do you live in? EllingtonParty affiliation: Democrat and IndependentEducation: Jaime S. Foster is serving her second term as State Representative in the Connecticut General Assembly, proudly serving the 57th District of Ellington, East Windsor, and Vernon. She currently serves on the Banking and Commerce Committees and is the Vice Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee. She has previously served on the Children’s committee and Public Health committee where she has championed legislation relevant to district priorities. Before being elected to serve in the General Assembly, Foster served on the Ellington Human Services Commission, the Board of Education, and the State’s Milk Promotion Board. She continues to serve on the Ellington Farmers Market Board of Directors.Foster is an alumnus of UCONN’s College of Agriculture Health and Natural Resources; she received her B.S. in Dietetics and subsequently completed the internship and testing requirements to be a Registered Dietitian. She obtained her MS and Doctorate in Nutritional Sciences at UCONN College of Agriculture Health and Natural Resources and completed her post-doctoral training at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. Professionally, Dr. Foster works as a research scientist for the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center where her expertise and research focus on interventions to address food insecurity and nutrition-related chronic diseases, like diabetes and heart disease, primarily through fruit and vegetable prescription programs. Foster is the only scientist in the legislature. She's proud to bring a critical and data-driven eye to policies to address CT's biggest challenges. As such, this year, along with the CT Scholar Strategy Network, she convened the first annual Moving Beyond Implications conference which offered researchers and scholars the opportunity to present their policy-minded scholarship to bipartisan legislators interested in evidence-based policymaking. Dr. Foster is committed to advocating for meaningful change that will improve the lives of those in the community and focuses on district priorities every session. She's championed legislation to improve the lives of children, families, seniors, farmers, emergency services and public safety folks, educators, healthcare providers, and more!Occupation: Research Scientist, completed my doctoral training in 2015, post doc in 2016 and have been doing food insecurity and nutrition related chronic disease prevention program implementation and evaluation in a variety of roles in the past 10 years.Family: Yes, my husband Aaron is a Civil Engineer and I have 2 young children a 6 year old daughter who loves reading, science and legos and a 15 month old who loves making being read to, making messes and all things cars, trucks and dinos..Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? NoPrevious public office, appointive or elective: I was previously on the Ellington Board of Education and the Ellington Human Services CommissionAge: 34Why are you seeking this office?I believe that towns like ours need a legislator who is willing to actively solicit community feedback, learn and focus on community values, and be effective in delivering on local issues. I am proud that in my first 4 years in office, in addition to increasing municipal funding for all 3 towns and for all 3 local school districts, I was also able to secure 21 Million Dollars for local projects (police radios and emergency telecom, a school reconstruction project and park improvements being the biggest ticket items). I want to continue to be the kind of leader in this district who delivers on various and diverse community members needs, but also digs deep to solve pressing issues. Four years ago, I learned that many in our community didn't have safe, potable water in their home. By July of 2025 2 whole streets will be connected to city water and as I write this 2 more homes have city water being connected to their houses. This work took incredible persistence and leveraging relationships and efforts on the local, state and federal level. I hope that I will be able to continue to do this good work for our community because there is still work left to do!What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?I think this depends by demographic. People are struggling with the cost of living. For parents I want to help to continue to expand access to high-quality childcare and lower cost. They also don't want to sacrifice excellent school quality for cost, they want affordability and excellence. For folks caring for aging parents, they want affordable safe nursing home and home care work environments. Seniors want high quality healthcare near by and safe rehab facilities. I have knocked on thousands of doors and spoken to thousands of constituents this year alone, and most people agree on most things. They want safe communities, high-quality schools, and good local amenities and to be able to afford to save and live comfortably.There have been an alarming number of deaths on Connecticut's roadways. Is there anything from a legislative standpoint that can be done to address that?2 years ago the state budget included money for rural road calming measures. I think we need to get back to highway and interstate traffic enforcement and that can be done in a variety of different ways. There are engineering solutions, law enforcement solutions and of course we can increase penalties for those who are caught driving recklessly. I am willing to do any and all solutions that will deliver results.What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?I am proud to say that 3 organizations have named me legislator of the year- the CT Farm Bureau, the CT Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the New England Public Works Association. I have an A rating from local teachers, the Connecticut Business and Industry Association and I am one of very few candidates endorsed by all the local law enforcement unions (state police, POACT and the local fire and state police union). I think I have been able to receive all these diverse endorsements because I am the kind of legislator who listens to anyone and everyone and learns how to be helpful and then, I do what my constituents are asking me to. In my last four years I have been effective on delivering on consitituent requests (include of 7 bills local individuals have asked for in a single year).What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?I think the long list of endorsements which also include the CT Realtors, the Independent Party, AFSME and more. But mostly, I am proud of the tough issues that we as a community were stuck on but finally saw movement and progress this year, like more local control in the citing of renewable resources and improving water access.Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?That I am truly accessible at all times and I want to hear from people if there are things they want me to work on. I have some projects carrying over from previous years but I have a lot of room and a growing new list. Call me if you need me! 203-313-4175.The article Connecticut Patch Candidate Profile: Jaime Foster For State Rep appeared first on Ellington-Somers, CT Patch.
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