CT Patch Candidate Profile: Tony Hwang For 28th District

FAIRFIELD, CT — The 2022 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the gubernatorial election, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs. All five of Connecticut's congressional seats, plus one U.S. Senate seat, are up for grabs as well.

There are 151 seats in the state House of Representatives and 36 in the state Senate. Democrats currently hold majorities in both chambers.

Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Tony Hwang, a Fairfield, CT resident, is running for State Senate 28th District:

Campaign website

https://TonyHwang.org

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

Cornell University, B.S. Industrial and Labor Relations

Occupation

Real Estate Sales & Consulting:
(25 years of experience)

Family

Married to Grace Hwang for 34 years,
two children: daughter, Christina, son, Peter

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

58 yrs

Previous public office, appointive or elective

(Fairfield Representative Town Meeting, 3 yrs)
(CT State Representative 134th District, 6 yrs)
(CT State Senator 28th District, 8 yrs)

Why are you seeking this office?

I love our state and am so honored and privileged to represent the 28th Senate district for the past 8 years and I hope to continue working for the people of our district that now includes Fairfield, Southport, Easton, Newtown, Sandy Hook and portions of Bethel.

I believe in finding solutions through collaboration and seeking input from all impacted shareholders to create public policy that is sustainable while also addressing the questions and challenges we need to solve.

As we adapt to a new social and economic “normal” from the Covid-19 pandemic and the tumultuous social upheaval of divisive and stereotypical political partisanship, we will need collaborative, experienced and trusted leaders with proven abilities and accomplishments that can lead during these difficult and challenging times.

Affordability and inflationary costs affect all of us and while it casts a long shadow, it is not the only issue confronting our state and country. We need to address public safety, bodily choice, physical & mental health, social & racial equity and due process under our constitutional rights and freedoms.

I have and will always advocate for policies that are transparent, sustainable and in the best interest of all residents. I have demonstrated my legislative independence with thoughtful legislative votes.

We, as a community and individuals, need to engage and learn from each other. Not by defined stereotypes and categorization, but by interacting and listening to each person and celebrating the unique individuals that we are. We can only make these urgent and fundamental changes by learning and trusting together. Nobody is perfect, but we can all work to be better everyday and support each other.
Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is AFFORDABILITY. Affordability and inflationary costs affect all of us, and I have suggested solutions that will help tackle this taxing problem.

BUDGETING IS ABOUT PRIORITIES. We are now battling historic inflation levels and supply chain challenges for food, fuel, material goods that are impacting our lives. Connecticut is unaffordable and growing more unaffordable by the day. At the same time, Connecticut is overtaxing its residents and household budgets are strained to the breaking point. I am focused on solutions, read about them at www.AffordableConnecticut.com. Some of the suggested proposals are below.

REDUCE INCOME TAX FOR WORKING & MIDDLE-CLASS TAXPAYERS. Lower the income tax rate from 5% to 4% for individuals earning less than $75,000 and joint filers earning less than $175,000 annually.

REDUCE THE SALES TAX & ELIMINATE MEALS TAX.
Suspend the 1% meals tax on prepared foods and reduce the sales tax from 6.35% to 5.99% to ease the burden on Taxpayers for goods and services.

RELIEF FROM RISING UTILITY COSTS. Bolster assistance to families that need help paying for energy costs like heating oil. Utilities: As policy makers demand greater transparency and cost containment and better consumer service response from utilities for energy, telecommunications, and water.

To find out more, read about them at www.AffordableConnecticut.com

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

EXPERIENCE
My constituents have shown their confidence in me through their vote to represent them as their state senator for the past 8 years. During this time, I have gained valuable experience in Hartford and our communities and know how to get things done by working across the aisle on bipartisan bills and legislation.

LEADERSHIP
My appointment as the Deputy Senate Republican in the CT General Assembly demonstrates the trust of my legislative colleagues in my leadership skills. I am the minority leader on the following committees that have major impact on policies impacting our communities and state:
-Public Health Committee (cognizance on public health, Covid-19 policies/responses)
-Planning and Development Committee (cognizance on municipal interaction, land use & zoning)
-Insurance & Real Estate Committee (cognizance on health & long-term care insurance and real estate industry regulations)
-Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, subcommittee on Bonding (cognizance over bonding allocation from bonding commission)

STABILITY
I have lived and worked in Connecticut for over 30 years and am an active and engaged member in the communities I represent. We have raised and educated our children in Fairfield and have demonstrated through my actions that I am here to stay. I know my constituents well and am able to represent them competently and effectively in Hartford.

TRUST
I have earned the trust of the people and the communities that I represent. Constituents know they can call me in their moment of need and I will do my best to be their advocate and find solutions for them. People know they can count on me. I am grateful to have the privilege of being their state senator and will strive to do my best to represent them. Nobody is perfect, but we can all work to be better every day and support each other.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

N/A

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

LOCAL GOVERNANCE vs. STATE MANDATED CONTROL:
My focus is maintaining the balance between local governance versus state mandated one-size-fits-all control. I strongly believe that our best solutions are collaborative and engage the input of all impacted shareholders:
-Education: Local Education Boards & Parental Input against state education regionalization and top-down education mandates. We need to engage all shareholders such as parents and educators in policy impacting students and families.
-Land Use/Zoning (8.30G): State mandated housing laws such as (8-30g) have not worked in addressing the need for affordable, accessible & diverse housing. We need collaborative solutions from local, state & federal leaders to increase housing availability in our suburbs, rural and urban communities.
-Taxes - Motor Vehicle & Property: Sweeping changes were made to our motor vehicle taxation laws and the taxing impact have yet to be felt and understood. Unfunded state mandated policies are a direct cause of rising local property taxes. These policies must be re-evaluated for their goals and purposes.

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS:
For over 2 years, I have been an outspoken advocate for the health and well-being of our children. Pandemic restrictions created a negative mental health environment for our youth. I collaborated on a bipartisan effort to pass sweeping legislation to better support children’s mental healthcare needs. Parental engagement is important on decisions or plans to address student health and safety. (Public Acts 22-80, 22-81, 22-47). I am honored to be chosen a “Distinguished Legislative Leader” by the CT Psychological Association for my efforts and leadership in advancing mental health support and services. We need to continue to do more in mental health supportive services.

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE:
As a nationally recognized League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) environmental champion and endorsed by The Sierra Club, I am honored by their support and endorsement of my legislative leadership and experience. I helped secure state support to protect the Long Island Sound and our waterways, rivers, and open space land preservation. My legislative record demonstrates independence & reason in supporting groundbreaking legislation addressing climate change & air pollution.

PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIME: BALANCED SOLUTIONS:
As former Chairman of the Public Safety Committee and a state leader of second chance re-entry, I led efforts to address the statewide crime problem. I recognized the need for balanced solutions by fostering communication and collaboration between local leaders, law enforcement, public defenders, and community members. My plan is detailed at SaferCT.com. I reiterated my “Zero Tolerance” punishment policy on school threats that cause emotional trauma and fear to students, teachers, caregivers and parents. Balanced and bipartisan solutions are needed to address this important public health and safety issue.

SOCIAL EQUITY & COMMUNITY COMMITMENT:
I will continue to support organizations like Fairfield’s Operation Hope, Newtown’s Faith Pantry and Westport’s Al’s Angels to provide food, home security and community generosity that our struggling neighbors desperately need. The American dream can be achieved by everyone, but only if there are organizations and people who have their hands outstretched to help and lift them up.

HEALTHCARE & INSURANCE COSTS:
As a leader on both the Insurance Committee and the Public Health Committee, I am committed to fight against healthcare and insurance unsustainable cost increases. I led a successful bipartisan effort to advance Benchmarking & Reinsurance, which will limit how much overall healthcare costs can grow. I also proposed legislative efforts to reduce prescription drug costs and address unsustainable Long-Term Care Insurance premium increases. I will continue to push for solutions that are sustainable and marketplace proven.

I am committed to solutions. The best way to move our state forward is by working together to find common ground and to legislate sensible and sustainable public policies. To find out more about my solutions, endorsements, and accomplishments - visit my website www.TonyHwang.org

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & ENDORSEMENTS:
- CT PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION: Chosen as its' Distinguished Legislator of the Year, which acknowledges my long track record of advocating & supporting mental health & wellness, especially the interest of children & families during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- CT COUNCIL OF SMALL TOWNS (COST): Awarded recognition for tireless advocacy on housing & other development issues affecting small towns. Understand that one-size-fits-all land use/zoning mandates undermine efforts to work collaboratively to create sustainable & effective housing solutions.
- FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE: Earned its endorsement by putting the safety of the public and police officers first.
- ASSOC OF RETIRED TEACHERS OF CT (ARTC): Endorsed by retired teachers because of my demonstrated commitment to protecting retirement pension & healthcare benefits of retired teachers.
- NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS (NFIB): I understand the important of small businesses to our community and work to help by tackling healthcare insurance and administrative government bureaucracy which hinder Main Street businesses ability to thrive and grow.
- CT REALTORS: As a realtor myself, I understand the unique challenge of working to creating a better CT that realtors can sell to prospective homeowners.
- CT LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS (CTLCV) & SIERRA CLUB OF CT: Honored to be recognized for my leadership role on environment conservation, sustainability and innovation in the CT General Assembly. As a policymaker, I collaborated to reach bipartisan solutions on open space preservation, protection of Long Island Sound, waterways, rivers and climate change initiatives.
- RADIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF CT: Demonstrated bipartisan leadership on passage of landmark legislation on breast cancer screening, early detection and saving lives from breast cancer.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice I ever received came from my father, who reminded me to strive to work twice as hard as everyone else to achieve the American dream for myself and future generations of our family. My parents made tremendous sacrifices for their children and challenged us to do our best to achieve the American dream of economic sustainability, generational success and independence. They reminded me to never forget the pride and gratitude of being an American and that in our success and good fortune, we need to give back to public service support of our community, state and country. I am a living example of the aspiration my parents had dreamed for their children.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I truly love representing and working on behalf of the people of the 28th State Senate district in the CT General Assembly. I am proud of my demonstrated record of public service and accomplishments as a legislative leader with an independent and reasoned voting record. In the current divisive and politically partisan charged environment, I hope to work to return the focus to representing our constituents and their concerns and needs. I am proud of being present for people in the community during their struggles and frustrations and aid them in finding solutions to address their needs. I am a believer and practitioner in collaboration across party lines and “engaging with all shareholders” so that all voices are heard. We are nowhere near the damaging divided dysfunction in Washington D.C. and I want to keep it that way. We need to be about solutions and working together, not national agenda, ideology, and labeling people.