Front row, from left, Middletown Democratic Town Committee Chairman Mike Fallon, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and 100th House District representative-elect Kai Belton pose for a photo Tuesday with Belton’s family outside a polling station. Mike Fallon / Contributed photo
Democrat Kai Belton sailed to victory in Tuesday’s special election for Connecticut’s 100th House District seat, winning 1,716 votes to Republican Deborah Kleckowski’s 776.
Belton, a youth crisis social worker at Middlesex Health, won by a margin of 69 percent over Kleckowski, a former city councilwoman. She took home 1,548 votes under the Democratic Party line, and was also endorsed by the Working Families Party, which garnered her an additional 168 votes.
“I am proud of the campaign that we ran, which focused on the issues facing our residents,” Belton, 45, wrote on her Kai Belton for State Rep Facebook Page Tuesday night. “At every door and with every phone call, I learned more about how Middletown residents are looking for strong representation to address the challenges of their daily lives, like rising housing and utility costs, and the ongoing youth mental health crisis.”
Belton is the first Black woman to represent the city in the state legislature, just as was the late Quentin “Q” Williams was the first Black man to do so. He was killed in a wrong-way car crash on Route 9 in Cromwell Jan. 5 on his way home from the inaugural ball after being sworn in for a third term in the 100th District seat.
When someone calls 2-1-1 Connecticut for help, the clinician said, she is sent to a home or school where a young person is experiencing a crisis. “We stabilize that person, we assess for different risks and we can either send someone to the hospital, but mostly, it’s to prevent hospitalizations.”
Often, Belton said, she will offer children and their guardians resources to maintain their wellness.
She supports clinicians working hand in hand with local authorities in the field. “There are certain things that police are not trained in, and they shouldn’t have to be responsible for … assessing someone who might be at risk for suicide,” Belton said.
“A trained individual would be the best option to support someone going through a crisis,” she said.
When she was approached to run for office, Belton said, “I had this pit in my stomach and heaviness on my chest, because it’s a lot” of responsibility to carry on Williams’ legacy.
“There are huge shoes to fill, which is impossible. Also, he was doing so much and you want that work to continue,” she said. “The community is depending on somebody to make that happen. That’s a lot of weight to have on your shoulders,” Belton said.
Belton is eager to be placed on subcommittees, such as Housing, Human Services, and Appropriations. “It’s (about) finding my place when I get there and really listening and learning,” Belton said. “It doesn’t matter how much experience you have on the ground. Once you go to the Capitol, you need to learn and listen.”
She’s grateful to all those who supported her during the race. “This campaign was not about me, it was about us,” Belton said.
This is Belton’s first foray into politics. As a candidate, she ran on a platform of promoting youth mental health, elevating the voices of women in domestic violence situations, protecting women’s reproductive rights, strengthening gun laws and advocating for affordable housing.
The representative-elect has worked in various capacities throughout Middlesex County, including as program director at CT Strong, executive director of New Horizons Domestic Violence Services in Middletown, and director of Safe Connect, operated by the Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
She is also a 2021 Emerge Connecticut graduate and third vice president, as well as education chairwoman of the Middlesex County NAACP.
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said Wednesday that, as a social worker, Belton has focused on helping victims of domestic violence, as well as children in mental health crises.
“The pandemic has really shown a light on both public health problems,” she said. “Unfortunately, increased numbers of women suffering from domestic violence, and children and adults who are suffering with mental illness.
“I know when she goes to the Legislature, she’s going to make it her mission to help our state address those issues,” said Bysiewicz, chairwoman of the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls.
There are 71 women lawmakers at the Capitol, a record number: 12 senators, and 59 representatives, following Belton’s and Stamford Democrat Anabel Figueroa’s wins, Bysiewicz said.
Belton will be sworn in to office Friday in Hartford along with Figueroa, according to the Secretary of the State’s office.