Candidate Profile: Lou Arata, 83rd House 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.

Meriden Republican Lou Arata is running for a term in the House of Representatives, 83rd House District. He is running against Democratic hopeful Jonathan Fazzino of Berlin.

The House seat serves parts of Berlin, Cheshire and Meriden.

The seat is currently held by state Rep. Catherine F. Abercrombie, D-Meriden, who is not seeking another term.

Age: 65

Party affiliation: Republican and Independent Party endorsements

Occupation: Retired

Education: Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, BS

Previous elected/appointed experience: Meriden Republican Town Commitee, vice chairman; Meriden Public Utilities Commission, vice chairman.

Family: N/A

Campaign website: https://LouArata.com

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Why are you seeking this office?

Connecticut needs help. We're last in most financial metrics.

We've seen the brain and financial drain from individuals and businesses moving to more affordable states.

One-party control of our state government for 40 years has enabled waste and corruption.
Someone needs to stand up and begin to fix the problems.

Doing nothing is not going to solve anything except guarantee a continuation of the current tax-and-spend mentality and the ignoring of opposing thought and open debate.

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

Making Connecticut more affordable again.

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

I have a website, LouArata.com where I openly explain priorities and provide background on why we're in such a mess — both nationally and on the state level.

Bringing affordability back into the living equation is a necessity with Connecticut residents paying over 340 taxes and fees and other revenue sources into state coffers.

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

Restructuring the Police Accountability Act and allowing law enforcement the tools to do their jobs safely and correctly.

Conduct forensic audits of every state department to root out waste, mismanagement and corruption.

Support legislation for local governments to control decisions regarding their municipal governance.

Support legislation for a "families first act" providing parents rights in decisions about their family's education and healthcare.

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

I have been in leadership roles my entire life, beginning in junior high school student government.

I have four decades of entrepreneurial and corporate work experience and I've paid my taxes.

Most importantly I possess a keen ability to apply common sense.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

An honest man has nothing to hide.

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

Please visit LouArata.com for more information about myself and my views.

The free enterprise marketplace and our Constitution stand as the foundations for the greatest society ever formed by man and I stand for all people without apology to maintain it.