Thomas Egan
ANSONIA-DERBY — Ansonia lawyer Thomas Egan is the Independent Party candidate trying to get elected to represent Ansonia and much of west Derby in District 104 in the state House of Representatives.
There are two other candidates. State Rep. Kara Rochelle, a Democrat, is the incumbent. Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti is the Republican candidate.
Click here for everything The Valley Indy has published on the race.
The Valley Indy sent eight questions to each candidate and gave them 18 days to respond.
The Valley Indy is publishing the answers from each candidate in alphabetical order.
The following answers were submitted by Egan:
1. Why are you running?
I’m running for State Representative of the 104th District because I believe in a balanced, pragmatic approach to governing — one that puts people above politics. Though I’ve lived all over Connecticut, Ansonia has been my home since 2018, and in that time, I’ve grown deeply connected to the community and its unique challenges. The conversations in Hartford often feel disconnected from what truly matters here in Ansonia and Derby — issues like economic development, affordable housing, and public safety. I’m running to ensure that these communities have a strong, pragmatic voice in Hartford, one that will advocate for solutions grounded in real-world needs, not party ideologies.
Ansonia and Derby are filled with hardworking, resilient people who deserve a representative that truly listens and takes action. My experiences — both as a lawyer and as a community advocate — have shown me the importance of creating policies that directly impact our daily lives. From promoting economic growth to ensuring safe, affordable housing, I’m focused on tangible improvements that will enhance the quality of life for all residents.
I’m not here to push a party agenda. I’m running because I want to be a strong advocate for our district and ensure that our needs are represented in Hartford. My commitment is to the people, not to the extremes of politics, and I believe that together we can make the 104th District a better place to live and work.
2. What are three accomplishments that matter the most to you while you’ve been in elected office?
This question doesn’t apply to me directly, as I have not yet held elected office. However, I have made significant contributions to our community in other capacities. Running a pro-bono legal defense clinic for tenants facing eviction is one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of. Through this initiative, we’ve been able to help numerous families stay in their homes and ensure that the legal process is fair and just for all parties involved.
Another accomplishment I take pride in is my work within the environmental industry, particularly in hazardous waste abatement. I understand the importance of safeguarding our environment while also ensuring that industries can operate effectively, which will be critical as we address both economic and environmental concerns.
Lastly, I’ve been honored to serve as a voice for those who often go unheard, whether it’s through my legal work, or through the political campaign I led for Mayor of Ansonia. My previous mayoral run taught me a great deal about the needs of our community and strengthened my resolve to serve the public.
3. What are the top three issues in Ansonia and Derby?
The first major issue is economic development. Ansonia and Derby have incredible potential for growth, but we need to do more to attract and retain businesses. I am currently working to bring two new businesses to Elizabeth Street in Derby, as well as a new aquarium manufacturing facility to Roosevelt Drive. These projects demonstrate the type of targeted growth we need in the area — businesses that will provide good-paying jobs and boost the local economy. However, to attract more businesses like these, we must modernize our infrastructure, offer attractive incentives, and ensure a regulatory environment that supports growth while balancing the needs of the community.
Secondly, housing affordability remains a pressing concern. Many residents struggle to afford rent, and the need for affordable housing options is critical. We must address the root causes that contribute to this issue, including increasing access to affordable housing and working to ensure both tenants and landlords have the support and protections they need. As someone who has spent a great deal of time in tenant advocacy, I understand the complexities of this issue and am ready to work on meaningful solutions.
Lastly, public safety is always at the forefront of community concerns. While Ansonia and Derby benefit from strong local police departments, it’s important that we continue to support these institutions while fostering stronger relationships between law enforcement and residents. Ensuring that our police have the necessary resources to maintain safety is vital, but just as crucial is building trust through transparency and community engagement.
4. If elected, what will you do to tackle these issues?
To address economic development, I will continue my current efforts to bring new businesses to the district, such as the two businesses coming to Elizabeth Street and the aquarium manufacturing facility set to open on Roosevelt Drive in Derby. These projects are just the beginning of what we can achieve by attracting businesses that offer quality jobs and long-term investment in the community. I will advocate for state-level incentives that encourage more businesses to choose Ansonia and Derby as their home, as well as push for infrastructure improvements, such as better transportation links and reliable utilities, to make the area even more attractive for future development.
On housing, I plan to champion legislation that makes housing more affordable and accessible, such as expanding rent assistance programs and increasing funding for affordable housing projects. My experience in tenant rights has shown me firsthand the struggles many residents face, and I’m committed to finding solutions that work for both tenants and property owners. I will also push for policies that balance affordable housing with responsible development to ensure our communities grow in a sustainable way.
In terms of public safety, I will work to secure additional funding for our local police departments, ensuring they have the resources they need to keep our communities safe. While I support accountability, I believe that parts of the recent police accountability bill have created challenges for officers in carrying out their duties effectively. I will advocate for rolling back certain provisions of the bill to strike a better balance between accountability and allowing our officers to do their jobs without undue restrictions. At the same time, I believe in strengthening community engagement programs that foster trust and cooperation between residents and law enforcement. By building these relationships, we can create a safer, more united community where public safety is a shared responsibility.
5. List prior elected office: title and years served:
Mayor of Hilltop Dorms- a borough in Storrs CT from 2007 to 2010.
6. List local community or civic engagement:
Founder and leader of a pro-bono legal defense clinic for tenants facing eviction.
Valley Community Foundation- Board of Advisors
Business Networking International out of East Haven
Participated in Earth Day cleanup in Ansonia from 2021 to present
Outside independent unofficial compliance officer overseeing the City of Ansonia
7. List prior work experience:
2008 – 2012 Hazardous waste abatement professional.
2015 – 2019 Information security analyst.
2019 – 2020 Became an attorney and worked for the Courts
2020 – 2021 Worked at Allstate, I left because I got tired of telling people they aren’t that hurt.
2021-Present Solo practitioner at Egan Law LLC
8. Education:
2006 New Fairfield High School- High School Diploma
2010 University of Connecticut Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
2017 Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley School of Law- Juris Doctorate and wrote an extensive thesis paper on Information Security, Cloud Computing and how the law is evolving to cover these issues.
