Chris Stewart for State Representative

06/06/2026

Remembering those who gave all on this day that changed the course of history. 🇺🇸

06/03/2026

After seeing several disturbing social media posts, it is clear that Mr. MacCormack’s campaign is fueled by hatred, not solutions. Anyone who chooses to attack people for who they are instead of addressing the real issues is unfit for public service. The people of the 50th District deserve better.

I will not support a candidate who suggests that people should be jailed or hung based upon their sexuality. And for the record, this candidate's comments have gone far beyond simply calling out Pride Month. Unhinged, violent rhetoric has no place in society, let alone politics.

05/27/2026

Thank you to the Putnam community for your support in passing the new town budget. This outcome reflects what can happen when a community comes together with a shared commitment to building a stronger, safer, and brighter future for everyone.

This budget represents an investment in our children, our schools, our educators, our EMS services, our School Resource Officers, critical capital improvements, and the everyday services that keep Putnam moving forward. None of this happens without thoughtful conversations, collaboration, and people willing to work together for the greater good.

Thank you to every resident who stayed informed, asked questions, showed up, and made your voice heard. Progress takes partnership, and Putnam continues to prove the power of community. Proud to be part of a town that believes in investing in its people and its future.

FROM THE WINY RADIO NEWSROOM: PUTNAM: BUDGETS PASS: The 2026-27 Fiscal Year budget proposals passed at today’s Referendum in Putnam.

The general government budget is $10,082,949. That’s an increase of $302,946 or 3.1% over the current fiscal year. The library budget is $449,769. That’s an increase of $11,317 or 2.58% over this year. The EMS budget is $400,000, which is an increase of $44,037 or 12.37% over this year. And the Putnam Police armed safety budget of $314,439 is an increase of $15,016 or 5.01%. The question to pass these budgets passed by a vote of 232 “yes” to 103 “no.”

The education budget is $23,734,750, which is an increase of $1.6 million or 7.23%. That question passed 245 “yes” to 90 “no.”

The five-year capital improvement plan passed by a vote of 252 “yes” to 80 “no.”

A question on whether the Board of Selectmen should be authorized to apply for and receive State and Federal grants passed by a vote 305 “yes” to 29 “no.”

A question on whether the local funding budget of $1,038,000 for capital projects was approved by a vote of 246 “yes” to 87 “no.”

WINY asked Putnam Mayor Barney Seney for his reaction after all the budgets passed.

“I think it’s great. I think the people realize that the school has to have our support to help our children with their education. I’m a strong education individual. So I’m so glad that the school budget passed, but I’m even gladder that the general government budget passed with all the capital projects and everything else,” Mayor Seney said. “I think it shows that the people know that we are concerned about their taxes. We try and keep our budgets as low as possible. And I want to thank all of the boards and commissions for supporting the budgets and the citizens that did. And even the citizens that didn’t. This is what democracy is all about.”

The passing of these budgets means a 0.6 mil increase to local property tax.

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 On this solemn Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women of our armed forces who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom.

Their courage, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to our nation did not come with a return ticket home. They gave everything so that we could live in liberty, security, and opportunity. From the battlefields of the past to the conflicts of today, their legacy lives on in every flag that flies, every family that gathers, and every generation that inherits the blessings of their service.

In Connecticut’s Quiet Corner and across our great state, we feel deep gratitude for the fallen heroes who came from our neighborhoods, our schools, and our communities. We will never forget them. We will teach our children their stories. And we will strive every day to be worthy of their sacrifice.

To the Gold Star families who carry the heaviest burden: know that you are not alone. Your loved ones’ service and memory are etched forever in the heart of this nation.

May God bless our fallen heroes, comfort their families, and continue to bless the United States of America.

With profound respect and gratitude,

State Representative Chris Stewart
R-51 (Killingly, Putnam, Thompson)

05/06/2026

On Tuesday, I had the honor of meeting Mark Sheldon Sr., President of the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He presented a copy of the Declaration of Independence on the House Floor as part of a patriotic effort to provide one to each of Connecticut’s 169 towns- and our Capitol!

I want to thank State Representative Pat Boyd for including me, along with my colleague State Representative Kurt Vail, in this truly special ceremony.

05/04/2026

I am pleased to report that the House of Representatives recently passed H.B. No. 5295 – An Act Naming the Connecticut National Guard Readiness Center in the Town of Putnam -unanimously.

In passing this bill in this chamber, we are one step closer to naming this complex the Governor John Dempsey Connecticut National Guard Readiness Center, honoring a past governor and former state representative of the great town of Putnam.

There were past and present town officials and General Assembly members, including our House delegation here in the Quiet Corner from both sides of the aisle, who helped move this bill through the Veterans’ Committee and the House. Our hope is that this will pass the Senate prior to midnight on Wednesday – I’ll keep you posted!

05/02/2026

This week, the House passed H.B. 5004, An Act Concerning Child Welfare Accountability and Transparency. This bill strengthens protections for kids and increases oversight of DCF.

Highlights of the bill:

• Allows emergency placements with relatives or close family friends (fictive kin) even before full licensing, when it’s in the child’s best interest
• Requires written justification when DCF denies or ends these emergency placements
• Requires DCF to document to the court that any non-relative placement is in the child’s best interest
• Creates a grant program to help relatives and fictive kin cover basics like clothing, food, safety items, and other essentials when a child is placed with them
• Launches a public, real-time dashboard so families and the public can see how DCF is performing

I also backed an amendment to better protect children living in homes with individuals convicted of certain serious offenses. Under this change:

• Within one week of release to parole or probation, DOC must notify DCF if the person is living where a child under 18 resides
• Within one week of that notice, DOC or DCF must conduct a home visit to check on the child’s safety
• Follow-up home visits must continue at least every three months until parole/probation ends or no minors live in the home

This was strong work by the Children’s Committee and my colleague, Rep. Anne Dauphinais, the Ranking Member of the committee. Many will be grateful for their work on this important, bipartisan legislation.

05/01/2026

The House is in session today, and it started off with plenty of fireworks. As you can see from the video below- there is no place for any of this nonsense in the People’s House.

I was proud to stand with Rep. Howard, and all of my House Republicans colleagues.

04/30/2026

The House of Representatives is currently in session on this Thursday afternoon. To follow along, click the link below-

https://ct-n.com/CTNplayer.asp?livestream=2