Romano-Csonka Endorsed To Challenge State Rep McCarthy Vahey

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield resident Joanne Romano-Csonka has announced her candidacy for state representative in the 133rd district. Her candidacy was unanimously endorsed May 20 by the Fairfield Republican Town Committee.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to run for the Connecticut General Assembly at a critical time for our state where bipartisan, out-of-the-box thinking and leadership is needed, especially in the days and months ahead of us following the COVID-19 pandemic,” Romano-Csonka said in a news release. “... I want to bring creative and common-sense representation where I will be unafraid to challenge to the status quo.”

Additionally, on May 21, state Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey was unanimously nominated by the Democratic Town Committee to run for re-election representing District 133. First elected in 2014, McCarthy Vahey serves on the General Assembly’s Government Administration and Elections Committee and the Planning and Development Committee, and co-chairs the Transportation Committee.

"I love our town: the natural beauty; our amazing libraries; our two universities and incredible school system. But most of all, I love the people, you, my neighbors and constituents," McCarthy Vahey said in a news release from the committee. "It is my passion for the people of Fairfield and our state, along with my compassion for the hurt in a world that needs healing, that calls me to continue my service."

Romano-Csonka, a former Norwalk resident, previously served on Norwalk’s Common Council from 2005 to 2013. Romano-Csonka has been a member of the Fairfield Affordable Housing Committee since December. If elected to the state House, she would work to amend the state’s affordable housing laws and make them fairer to local municipalities, according to the news release announcing her candidacy. The 67-year-old also hopes to be a strong advocate and voice for seniors, as evidenced by her years as an in-home caregiver for the senior community.

“We need to address issues such as making Connecticut a healthy place to do business with especially now, stop the tax-and-spend, ask questions later mentality and fix unfair housing laws like 8-30g that favor predatory developers, not homeowners which continues to have implications on our town,” she said in the news release.

Romano-Csonka has volunteered with AdoptaPlatoon and organizations dedicated to missing and abused children. A mother and grandmother, she invented a “keep them safe” car seat, which contains an alarm system to keep young children safe from the hazards of extreme temperatures. She has also worked in sales and as an assistant to several Fairfield County attorneys.

A trained social worker, McCarthy Vahey co-chairs the Fairfield Cares Community Coalition and is a certified suicide prevention trainer. She served previously on Fairfield’s Representative Town Meeting and as a Fairfield selectman. McCarthy Vahey lives in Fairfield with her husband, a U.S. Navy veteran, and their three children.

The election is set for Nov. 3, with primary petitions due June 9 and primaries planned for Aug. 11.