Democrat Michelle Embree Ku is hoping the second time is the charm as she once again challenges Republican incumbent Mitch Bolinsky for his seat as the 106th District state representative.

For more than a decade, Embree Ku has served as a local leader on the Legislative Council, on the Board of Selectmen, and as chair of Newtown Board of Education. She has also served in appointments on statewide boards and commissions and maintains a professional career in science and research.

“I believe leadership means listening first,” Embree Ku said. “It means working with others — across differences — to get things done for our community. Newtown deserves representation that’s steady, thoughtful, and grounded in service.”

Embree Ku said she has been paying attention to Bolinsky's 14 years in office, and feels that she could do "better for Newtown" and would "advocate for things Newtown needs." She feels that with minority representation — the State Legislation currently has a Democratic majority in both the House and Senate, and Bolinsky is a Republican — Newtown's voice is not always part of the discussion.

"Newtown has been in the minority for 14 years," said Embree Ku. "That makes a difference in what kinds of conversations we can contribute to."

With polling showing Democrats are heavily favored in the upcoming election, Embree Ku said she is not taking a "Blue Wave" for granted, noting that "Newtown likes to vote for people instead of party."

"I'm working hard to make sure people know who I am," said Embree Ku. "I'm knocking on doors and talking to as many people as will answer. I'm making sure I know what Newtown is thinking."

Embree Ku said the main concerns she hears revolve around taxes, traffic, and housing.

For taxes, Embree Ku wants to help ensure that Educational Cost Sharing keeps up with inflation. It has not been increased in years. Residents express concerns that their property taxes keep going up.

Embree Ku noted energy costs are "going up dramatically" and she would work to address that at the state level.

"Everyone can't stand Eversource," said Embree Ku. "They're not doing right by our public utility."

Embree Ku noted that as a publicly traded, private company, the company is "more beholden to its stockholders than its customers."

"That's a big problem," Embree Ku said.

Supply and demand are also an important piece, and Connecticut needs to expand its supply to keep up with demand. Embree Ku felt that more nuclear plants or expanding green energies like solar or wind would help.

On the housing issue, she noted while knocking on doors that many Newtowners wanted to age in place here, and wanted their adult children to be able to find "accessible housing" here in town — not necessarily affordable housing, because that has a specific legal meaning for low income residents, but housing that is within the budget of the average young family.

"It's difficult to do that," said Embree Ku. "People are out there working and it's still difficult to afford. You can see that in the assessments of houses here in town."

Retiring people looking to downsize are also having difficulties because property taxes are forcing people out of their homes.

"You may own the home and have paid it off, but rising property taxes may force them out of their home," said Embree Ku. "It's important to address. Property taxes are a regressive form of taxation."

Traffic was the last issue she said was omnipresent on the mind of residents, and she noted that every time there's an incident on Interstate 84, traffic comes spilling onto the streets of Newtown.

"Newtown streets are not made for that," said Embree Ku, who noted that safety issues such as distracted driving make I-84 accident prone.

She noted that in the past there was a plan to widen I-84 from Danbury through Waterbury, but it never came to pass. Some smaller projects did occur, like the realignments of the exit and entrance ramps at Exits 9, 10, and 11.

Embree Ku noted that State Senate candidates Rob Blanchard and Amybeth Laroche had a debate on October 14, but Bolinsky refused to participate in a debate with her, and that both of them, as well as herself, participated in “Two Guys & a Pint” podcast episodes, while Bolinsky did not.

"I would have appreciated an opportunity to have a debate," said Embree Ku. "I just have to get my message out there."

Embree Ku has a husband, Warren, and three sons, all graduates of Newtown Public Schools. Jared attends University of Connecticut, Myles attends Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and her oldest son, Jet, lives in Colorado, where he works for the NHL. Her mother, Lea Embree, lives nearby in Southbury.

Embree Ku said her current work as a scientist in regulatory submissions for pharmaceuticals allows her to engage in a strong area of interest — public health. Her background includes a PhD in biology from Brown University, where she researched reproductive toxicology and taught as an adjunct professor about the environmental effects on human health. She also worked at Rhode Island Hospital researching under a fellowship. During her tenure on Newtown’s Board of Education, she co-chaired a state legislative task force concerning life-threatening food allergies in schools and was a member of the governor’s regional advisory team regarding the return to school during the COVID pandemic.

In addition to her work in Newtown, Embree Ku noted she has also worked directly with state leaders to deliver for Newtown.

"I proudly served on the Regional Advisory Team to the Secretary of Education and Governor Ned Lamont to guide our return to school during COVID, helping strike a balance between safety and students’ well-being," said Embree Ku. "On the Legislature’s Food Allergies Task Force, I worked with advocates and lawmakers to pass a Good Samaritan law that saves lives. I’ve testified and pushed for better school funding, safer communities, and healthier classrooms. Those relationships matter and helped bring resources back to Newtown. From brownfield cleanup to HVAC funding for our schools, from housing and community investment grants to preserving open space like 6 Commerce Road, I know how Hartford works, because I’ve already been at the table."

For more information about Embree Ku’s campaign, visit kuisforyou.com.

Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.