West Hartford resident Kate Farrar announced Thursday that she will be running for re-election to the State House.

Submitted

On Thursday, Jan. 15, Kate Farrar declared her candidacy for re-election as State Representative in the 20th District, which encompasses the southern portion of West Hartford and the western portion of Newington. Farrar will run as a Democrat in the 2026 election.

“I am running for re-election to defend our values, solve real problems, and continue to build a state where everyone can thrive,” said Farrar. “I am dedicated to working tirelessly to deliver results for our diverse district.”

Now in her third term, Farrar serves as a Deputy Majority Leader, as a chair of the historic Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board, and as co-chair of the Internship Committee. She also serves on the Finance, Revenue & Bonding, Higher Education & Employment Advancement, and Transportation Committees.

She’s worked to establish the landmark Early Childhood Education Endowment to bring down childcare costs and support educators, deliver tax relief for working families and seniors, protect residents from federal funding cuts to food assistance and health insurance, and advance reproductive health and LGBTQ+ rights. In 2025, she received a Children’s Champion Award for establishing the Endowment and the AFL-CIO Solidarity Award for being a driving force behind efforts to build a fairer economy and strengthen support for working-class families in Connecticut.

She was also instrumental in securing millions in investment for West Hartford, including $3 million in additional special education funding, a $2 million grant for new housing options in Elmwood, $1 million for Vision Zero roadway safety projects, as well as funding for The Bridge Family Center and West Hartford PRIDE.

“We’ve made progress for our state, but we can’t stop there. We need to make Connecticut more affordable by fixing Connecticut’s upside-down tax system, demand bold action to respond to the devastating federal cuts, and defend the rights, freedoms, and dignity of every person. I will continue to listen and collaborate for new solutions for our state and community together,” she said.

Farrar grew up in Connecticut and is a proud graduate of the University of Connecticut. She is a long-time nonprofit advocate for women and girls, including expanding STEM opportunities for girls, and leading the passage of Connecticut’s landmark paid family medical leave program. She currently works as a Strategy Coordinator at Connecticut Foodshare. Farrar is also an active volunteer in West Hartford as a Board Member of the Aurora Foundation for Women and Girls. She lives on Ridgewood Road with her husband, Chan, and their dog, Lizzie.

Learn more and stay informed about Kate Farrar’s campaign at: www.kateforct.com.

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