Candidate Profile: Bob Duff, 25th District

CONNECTICUT — The 2020 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the presidential election, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs. All five of Connecticut’s congressional seats are up for grabs as well.

There are 151 seats in the state House of Representatives and 36 in the state Senate. Democrats currently hold majorities in both chambers with a 91 to 60 lead over Republicans in the House and a 22 to 14 lead in the Senate.

Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Bob Duff, a Norwalk resident is running for Senate District 25, which represents Norwalk and Darien. An incumbent, Duff currently serves as Senate Majority Leader.

<b>Party affiliation:</b> Democratic Party
<b>Family:</b>Tracey and two children
<b>Occupation:</b>Real Estate Professional
<b>Previous elected experience:</b>State Senator
<b>Family members in government:</b>No
<b>Campaign website:</b> BobDuff.com

<b>The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>
It’s the Covid-19 pandemic. I’ve been working to safeguard Connecticut residents and ease the transition into this “new normal” since March. Free Covid-19 testing is widely available. In fact, we’re testing far more than most states. Unemployment benefits have been expanded. Rent and mortgage relief are available. There’s continued support for our small businesses and more food resources for the needy. Our economy is faring better than many other states. And to ensure no one is denied their right to vote, absentee ballots are being sent to all voters.

<b>What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>
In a word, experience. With so many competing agendas, the Legislature can be a tough place to do business. I’ve earned a reputation as a coalition builder, always willing to negotiate a fair compromise with all stakeholders. My primary goal is to always ensure a positive outcome for the people of Connecticut and especially the people of Norwalk and Darien.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>
Back during the Great Recession, I chaired the Senate Banking Committee. The economy was on a knife edge, with banks across the country teetering on disaster. Mortgage defaults were spiraling out of control. Across the country whole neighborhoods were turning into ghost towns. As a result, crime rates began to skyrocket. Without intervention Connecticut was about to travel down the same path. Too many Connecticut homeowners were already facing nightmarish foreclosures.

So I implemented a program to help struggling homeowners gain new job skills so they could afford to stay in their homes. Another program taught them valuable money and credit knowledge so they could avoid making costly debt mistakes in the future. It was a win for both homeowners and their lenders.

The final chapter of this story was empowering the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) to buy already foreclosed-upon property to create affordable and supportive housing. Criminal elements were never allowed a foothold in these neighborhoods. Best of all, we were able to do all this without increasing state spending.

As Vice-Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee I spearheaded efforts to widen I-95 between Exits 14 and 15 and improve the quality and reliability of train service on Metro North’s New Haven and Danbury lines.

Over the years I’ve been recognized with “Legislator of the Year” awards by numerous civic groups and non-profit organizations because of my consistent efforts to stand up for the people of Norwalk and Darien.

<b>Do you believe Connecticut needs reform when it comes to electric utility oversight? What steps, if any should be taken?</b>
First let me assure your readers that I’ve been a consistent advocate for utility ratepayers. A few years back I ushered through legislation that required a redesign of electric bills, to make them easier to read and understand. That was a common sense step toward reform.

I believe this question is in response to electric customer responses to higher than anticipated electric bills in July. It couldn’t have come at a worse time. Electric rates fall under the purview of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).

When you combine the fact that many people have been working from home instead of an office, using much more electricity to power air conditioning during a hot and sticky June, then top it off with a scheduled rate increase, the shock is understandable.

After I publicly called on PURA to suspend the increase with other legislative leaders, they immediately stepped in and temporary halted the increase while an investigation began. PURA’s response was immediate and rates have been resorted to those of the previous adjustment period.

PURA has been taking public comments on this issue. For now, I believe the best course of action is to allow PURA to do its job. For the legislature’s part, I Am helping to write the “Take Back Our Grid Act”, which advocates for a decentralized power grid, swifter storm responses, and a switch to underground cables to better protect consumers from power outages. To empower consumers I want more utility options to choose from, and a reverse late fee, where electric companies pay you, the consumer, for each day you’re left with no power.

<b>What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?</b>
This is a difficult and delicate balancing act. On the one hand government has a mandate to protect its citizens. On the other it’s all about supporting, even encouraging, economic growth.

History has repeatedly shown how resilient our economy is and how willing government has been to promote economic growth. We’ve recovered from every epidemic and pandemic, recession and depression, going all the way back to our founding. We’ll do it again. But first we need to put this pandemic behind us. To that end, legislative leaders, including myself, recently extended the governor’s emergency authority for five months.

<b>List other issues that define your campaign platform:</b>
Let’s start with racial justice. I’ve been a leading advocate to end gun violence for many years. This has resulted in new laws that prohibit large capacity magazines, bump stocks, ghost guns, and guns without serial numbers.

I also support Black Lives Matter protests, criminal justice reform, and improved police accountability and training in how to defuse volatile situations, without the use of force. We currently have the lowest state crime rate in generations, a decrease in our prison population, a decrease in youth arrests, and we’ve saved taxpayers millions of dollars in the process.

Healthcare is a particularly important issue, especially for women and the elderly. So I’ve championed reduced prescription drugs costs and paid family medical leave. We’ve already passed legislation that expands quality healthcare, including free contraception and expanded insurance coverage for infertility treatment. New laws also prohibit discrimination of women in the hiring process.

<b>What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>
The positions I take all have one common element – to promote the general welfare of my constituents. My wife and I have two boys who are fast approaching adulthood. Like all parents, we want our children to be happy and successful. I entered public service to fight for the happiness and success to all future generations.

My family tree in Norwalk goes back five generations. I attended Norwalk public schools. Even taught here after college as a long-term substitute teacher. The district I represent in Hartford, Norwalk and Darien, is my neighborhood. My community. Before the pandemic you could find me at nearly every public and social event. I found that’s where most people were comfortable voicing their concerns and offering suggestions. Social distancing hasn’t stopped me from listening, hasn’t stopped me from helping. So write me at bob@bodfuff.com or call me at home – (203) 840-1333.

This article originally appeared on the Norwalk Patch