Candidate Profile: Alex Colaiacovo, 1st Senate District

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 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 over Republicans in the House, 97-54, and in the Senate, 24-12.

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

Republican hopeful Alex Colaiacovo of Wethersfield is running for a term in the state Senate, 1st District. He is running against incumbent state Sen. John Fonfara, D-Hartford.

The Senate seat serves parts of Hartford and Wethersfield.

Age: 44

Party affiliation: Republican

Occupation: 15-year Realtor

Education: MA in organizational psychology

Previous elected/appointed experience: None

Family: Fiancé Valerie and 13-year-old stepdaughter Gabriella

Campaign website: https://alexforaction.com

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Why are you seeking this office?

I was born and raised in Hartford, then later moved to Wethersfield so these two communities are closest to my heart.

With our ever-divided, two-party system, I'm hoping to bridge the gap between parties and get us to realize that we as human beings ultimately all want the same thing — safety, a lower cost of living and better education for our children.

I'm fighting for smaller government, less restrictions, lower taxes, increased safety in our communities and more parental rights in our classroom with education focused on teaching real life skills that kids can apply to become successful adults.

In cities like Hartford, where not everyone can afford college, I'd like to see an increase in apprenticeship and workforce training programs to help kids learn skills to support their families.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Safety. With crime rates at an all time high in Hartford and car break-ins moving into surrounding towns people are living in constant fear just coming home at night.

Where there's low incomes and a failed education system, there's crime so my goal is to both punish repeat criminal offenders, while at the same time providing a better education platform for juveniles to learn and excel in a skill or trade to help get them back on the path to success.

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

I am NOT a career politician.

I'm a Realtor who works predominantly with Hartford residents listening to the concerns of the people everyday.

The community needs to have their voices heard and our current elected official has not done much of anything to listen or help the community in almost 25 years.

It's time that we elect an official not based on political party affiliation, but based on who is looking out for the best interest of the people.

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

Crime rates have increased to a historic high in Hartford with criminal activity increasing in Wethersfield as well.

Nothing has been done to address these issues.

Hartford public schools consistently rank amongst the lowest in the state while Hartford also has some of the highest taxes in Connecticut.

With the right leadership this can be changed. The people deserve a safe, affordable community with a much better school system.

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

I'd like to see lower property taxes for the disabled and anyone age 65 and over.

With inflation at a 40-year high, individuals living off of retirement or disability income are struggling even more to make ends meet.

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

I've been a top-producing Realtor for over 15 years and work endlessly to help each individual looking for a house or apartment.

I rarely take days off and always put my clients best interest as the number one priority.

I will do the same as your state senator.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

To give without remembering and take without forgetting.

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

I'm not a career politician and I'm not running for money or recognition.

I'm running because I genuinely want to help the city I grew up in and the town I currently reside in.

People have become increasingly divided over the past few years and I'm hoping I can make a change in that regard.

This shouldn't be a battle of red vs blue. We can take the good from each party and work together to create policies that will benefit each individual person.