About

State Representative Irene Haines serves the 34th District which includes the towns of East Haddam, East Hampton and Salem. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 and was elected to her third term in November 2022.

She is a member of the Education Committee along with the Planning and Development Committee. In addition, she serves as Ranking Member of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, in this role she leads the minority party in committee meetings and works with the Committee Leadership to bring forward legislation.

The Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee oversees the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Office of Higher Education. Additionally, the committee has cognizance over matters related to public and private institutions of higher education, occupational schools, post-secondary education, job training and apprenticeship programs.

Haines’ work on the Education Committee involves all matters related to the Connecticut Department of Education and local boards of education.

As a member of the Transportation Committee, Haines works on matters related to the Department of Transportation and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

A resident of East Haddam since 1996, she has been an active member of the community and her two daughters attended the local public schools.

She serves our community as a member of the Economic Development Commission. She has also served as President of the East Haddam Business Association, as a Founding Board Member of East Haddam News, a Business Sector Leader with the Local Prevention Council, former Girl Scout Troop Leader, and Founder & Former President of the Colchester Civic Orchestra. She currently serves as the First Selectman in the Town of East Haddam.

Professionally, Haines has worked as an insurance sales agent, marketing manager and small business owner.