Ryan Fazio Secures GOP Nomination For Vacant State Senate Seat

GREENWICH, CT — Ryan Fazio will look to finish what he started.

On Saturday, Republicans voted to nominate Ryan Fazio, a Greenwich native, as their candidate for the vacant 36th Senate District seat, which covers all of Greenwich and parts of Stamford and New Canaan.

Fazio challenged Kasser for the seat in 2020 but lost in a closely contested race. Kasser suddenly resigned last month, setting up a special election for Aug. 17. Alexis Gevanter will run for the Democrats, and John Blankley, who broke away from the Democratic Party, is petitioning his way onto the ballot as an Independent.

Republican delegates chose Fazio over Leora Levy by a vote of 20-9. Fazio grew up in Greenwich and attended Greenwich High School. He received a degree in economics from Northwestern University, and has worked in the shipping, agriculture and renewable energy industries, mostly in Stamford. Fazio is a member of the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting in District 12.

In his acceptance speech, Fazio said there needs to be a change in leadership in Hartford.

"Our people have experienced the worst economic growth of any state in the country, the second highest taxes, and among the highest costs of living. Our most vulnerable families are facing a horrendous surge of crime and violence with homicides up 35% in our state's largest cities. Our politics are becoming more divisive and for the last 12 years one party has had complete control of our state government. I know we can do better," Fazio said. "I remain an optimist. I know that our communities here in Greenwich, Stamford and New Canaan are the best there are around, with big hearts and people who look after one another. We simply need a change in leadership in Hartford to thrive like never before."

Fazio said he wants to see lower taxes, electricity and healthcare costs reduced, and economic opportunity for all.

"Let's make our neighborhoods safe and support our local police. Let's create the greatest school system of any state in the country. Let's protect our environment, and let's bring people together from every walk of life," he added. "I still believe the best days are ahead of us in Connecticut if only we can create a positive change first. That change starts right here on Aug. 17 in this special election."

Icy Frantz, a delegate, RTM member, and wife of former State Sen. Scott Frantz nominated Fazio on Saturday. Kasser defeated Frantz in 2018 to become the first Democrat to hold the seat since 1930.

"Ryan is smart, hardworking and humble, attributes that will serve him very well in Hartford. He is also not afraid to stand up for his beliefs, and he is a stellar debater, able to articulate his position on policy with plenty of facts to back them up," Icy Frantz said in her nominating speech.

"As a mom, a volunteer, and a colleague on the RTM, I know that the 36th District will be well served by Ryan Fazio. As a wife of a former state senator, I also know that Ryan Fazio has what it takes to make an excellent state senator. He will make positive changes for our state and for our communities. He will fight for lower taxes, safer neighborhoods, and excellent schools."

Whitney Williams, a delegate from New Canaan, seconded the nomination, calling Fazio "caring, conservative, collegial, committed; a young man who is representative of a new generation of Republicans."

Tom Michaud, a Greenwich resident and delegate from District 11, nominated Leora Levy, and called her a "pillar of the community" who "represents the American Dream." Levy fled communist Cuba with her family in the 1960s. She attended Brown University, and worked her way up to working as a commodities trader Wall Street. She has lived in Greenwich for the past 33 years.

In 2016, Levy became a Republican National Committeewoman for Connecticut. In January 2021, she was elected to represent the Northeast Region on the Executive Committee of the RNC. She has served as finance chair for two gubernatorial campaigns — Tom Foley 2014 and Bob Stefanowski in 2018 — and for the CT Republican Party from 2013 to 2015. In October of 2019, former President Trump nominated Levy to be the ambassador to Chile, but she was never confirmed.

Jan Schaefer, a delegate from New Canaan, seconded the nomination and said Levy's diversity would serve constituents well, but Republicans ultimately decided on Fazio.

Levy issued a statement following the special nominating convention on Saturday.

"Thank you to all the delegates to the 36th district Republican convention for your service to our party. It was a privilege to get to know you better. I respect your choice," Levy's statement said in part. "Congratulations to Ryan Fazio. On behalf of myself and my team, we are committed to joining with everyone to elect a Republican for our next state senator of the 36th district."

State Rep. Harry Arora (R-151) was hoping to receive the nomination, but he dropped out shortly before the special nominating convention. In an email to constituents, Arora said it was "frustrating" to not receive support from his party.

Arora won his own special election for State Representative in January 2020 after Fred Camillo was sworn in as Greenwich's first selectman.

"It is very important that we win this seat. All hard data at this point indicates that the delegates are taking a big gamble here by not supporting the most electable candidate. I strongly express my disagreement with the decision. Should we lose this seat, the delegates should be held accountable," Arora said. "The past 18 months, serving the public, has been the greatest experience of my life. I know that I have the broad popular support in our towns to serve and to lead. I will continue to do so as the state representative for the 151st district. My faith and optimism inform me that when one door closes, another one will open."