Candidate Profile: Kimberly Fiorello For CT House District 149

GREENWICH, CT — The 2020 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 presidential election, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs. All five of Connecticut’s congressional seats 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 with a 91 to 60 lead over Republicans in the House and a 22 to 14 lead in the Senate.

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

Kimberly Fiorello, a Greenwich resident, is running for House of Representatives District 149.

Age: 45

Party affiliation: Republican Party, Independent

Family: Proud mother of four children, two dogs, and four chickens

Occupation: Full-time Mom, Co-founder and State Director for Connecticut-wide non-profit, Inventor (U.S. Patent holder), Former Reporter for Wall Street Journal in Hong Kong, Worked on Wall Street at Salomon Brothers, Line Chef at NYC

Previous elected experience: Greenwich Representative Town Meeting, 2017-current

Family members in government: No

Campaign website: www.kimberlyfor149.com

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Fixing the Economy for our Taxpayers and Businesses. (1) Be a true budget hawk. (2) Be a strong defense against new taxes and bad legislation. (3) Advance good legislation to reignite CT's economy by making sure taxpayers and business owners can keep more of their hard earned dollar.

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

A key distinction between me and my opponent is demonstrated by my PRO-GROWTH, PRO-BUSINESS, PRO-PUBLIC SAFETY endorsements:
(1) 17,000 members of CT REALTORS
(2) our state’s largest small business organization National Federation of Independent Business
(3) the 146 officers of Greenwich police union
(4) the 263 officers Stamford police unions
(5) the Fraternal Order of Police CT, our largest police union
(6) Governor Lamont’s advisor on Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Joseph Duffy

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

(1) I attended West Point and graduated from Harvard with a degree in Economics. (2) I worked in finance and reported on finance
(3) I co-founded and serve as state director for a Connecticut-wide non-profit
(4) I invented a storage bag and hold a U.S. patent for it
(5) All the while, I am raising my four children

Do you believe Connecticut needs reform when it comes to electric utility oversight? What steps, if any should be taken?

YES we need REAL reform to get to reliable, affordable energy. (1) Shine a light and let the people know how aggressively CT state government is pursuing wind energy, which is why our electric prices are skyrocketing at the distribution level. (2) Separate PURA from DEEP so it has autonomy and can be a TRUE consumer watchdog. (3) Embrace more competition, less monopoly in our energy sector.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?

Quit picking and choosing who is essential and who is not. I don't know how it is possible for us to be OK with government telling people their life's work is not "essential."

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

I am the Public Safety and Economy candidate.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My disciplined approach to evaluating legislation, from the details to the bigger picture, will help to mitigate the worst effects of bad policy and advance only the best policies for our state.
Connecticut is a special place, from its role in the founding of our nation, to its tremendous economic history and potential, to its forests, coastlines and natural beauty.

I’m Kimberly Fiorello and I’m running to ensure our state’s future for our children and generations to come. I hope I've earned your vote by absentee or on Nov 3rd.