CT Patch Candidate Profile: Don Mastronardi For 142nd House District

NEW CANAAN, CT — 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, plus one U.S. Senate seat, 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

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

Don Mastronardi, a New Canaan resident, is running for State Representative 142nd District 142 House District.

Campaign website

https://www.donforct.com

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

BS Accounting Ithaca College

Occupation

Business Owner (7 years) Dry Dock Bar & Grill, Dry Dock@ Silvermine, Dry Dock's Smokin Aces Oak Hills Park

Family

Married w/ two kids, wife Lisa, married for 17 years, daughter Mia 15 sophmore at New Canaan High School, son Drew 13, 8th grade at Saxe Middle School New Canaan. Mia plays lacrosse and Drew plays football, wrestling, & baseball. Lived in Norwalk for 17 years, kids started at Silvermine Elementary up to 4th and 1st grade.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No, no family in politics or government

Age

46

Previous public office, appointive or elective

no

Why are you seeking this office?

For too long I have watched one party rule make a great state unaffordable. We need a government that puts the finances and freedoms of it's citizens ahead of the politically connected. We have 90 billion in unfunded liabilities built up over decades of financial mismanagement that our taxpaying citizens get forced to pay for.

Raises and bonuses continue to get paid to the groups who are responsible for making CT the second most indebted state in the country. The only reason we have seen the surpluses in our budget since 2017 is because the GOP was able to get their budget passed with the help of 5 democrats who voted for it. It capped spending, forced savings and helped pay down some of this debt. However, just this year Democrats gave a 33 percent raise to 46K state workers. Republicans proposed 1.2 billion in actual tax cuts for our citizens and was rejected by Democrats in favor of 46K state workers. Why? Simple, unions give millions of dollars in campaign donations and help democrats win elections.

It is time to put the taxpayers first and let hardworking citizens and small businesses keep more of their hard earned money. Politicians work for the people, not the other way around.

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

I am a limited government, fiscal conservative who is only loyal to those principles, not any one politician or party. The people of CT deserve a representative who puts their best interests above party politics. I believe in everyone being able to make their own medical decisions without government dictation. I believe in low taxes and regulations so that people can keep more of their hard earned money. My opponent and her party believe in using small businesses and working citizens as ATM machines to funnel money to their political allies. I am for more local control that allows for ground up governance vs. top down, one size fits all, approach from Hartford.

My opponent has voted to raise taxes on small businesses, voted for tolls and highway and use taxes. She voted against 1.2 billion in permanent tax cuts, for citizens and small business, in favor of election year tax deferral gimmicks. My opponent claims to be part of a moderate caucus and yet has voted with her party 98 percent of time. She claims that she is for local control of zoning but is in favor of keeping 8-30 g in place and attacking school boards that don't agree with her left wing educational programs. She was crossed endorsed by a radical far left party while I was crossed endorsed by the Independent Party. I am only loyal to those I will represent, not a party or any politician. I will be an independent voice that will fight for the best interest of my constituents, not party agendas. I will fight for bills that lower taxes and ensure personal liberties and freedoms are protected at all times.

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

Lucy Dathan has failed the people of Norwalk and New Canaan because she puts her party affiliation ahead of the people she is supposed to represent. She has voted to raise taxes on small businesses and hardworking citizens. We have built up billions in surpluses over the past few years and instead of sending these taxes back to those that paid them, Lucy, and her party, have decided to pay off her union friends.

Families and businesses are struggling with high inflation and they deserve to receive some relief, not the politically connected. Norwalk schools are failing our children and building a new high school isn't the answer. That money should go into school resources like teachers, mental health experts and after school programs to improve educational outcomes. We don't need a 250 million dollar high school, we need to make sure our children are learning and gaining the skills necessary to compete in the global economy. Charter, vocational schools and apprenticeships programs should be a focus so that our kids can have better opportunities to thrive.

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

Reforming or outright repeal of the police accountability act. Our police do a dangerous job and to make them personally liable for a mistake that might occur in making split seconds decisions isn't good public policy. This bill has made police be more hesitant to act and has put restraints on their ability to do good proactive policing. We should have a Politician Accountability Act in which politicians are held personally liable for lying and pushing public policy that endangers the welfare of our citizens. Let's see how politicians like being held personally liable for their mistakes on the job.

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

I have a track record of leadership and creating jobs in both my corporate experience and now as a business owner. In only six years, my wife and wonderful staff have turned 1 Dry Dock into 3 locations. We have created 40 good paying jobs and donate heavily to charities across Fairfield County. In business you are dealing with different agendas and personalities and you have to remain calm and ensure you are getting to the best solutions to problems.

Most people don't know, Dry Dock was going out of business before we took over. It had been mismanaged by an absentee owner and we were able to step in and return Dry Dock to where it belongs. We worked hard and put our own hard earned money into turning the business around and creating and saving jobs. We have worked hard to get where we are and we are very proud of these accomplishments. We need to motivate and help our citizens reach and accomplish their goals. Government can work to assist but it is our citizens that have to do the heavy lifting to accomplish their goals. If I can do it anyone can and I want our example to be an example of what hard work can accomplish.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My father was my hero and always gave me great advice. My favorite phrase he would always use, "life is going to knock you down over and over again, those that have the will and courage to get off the ground are the ones that get ahead." He always instilled in me to follow my instincts and surround myself with like minded people who were positive, driven and kind to others. He was a great man and I miss him very much but the values he taught me live on.

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

Yes, I will always be honest with you and my positions I hold. We don't have to agree on every issue, and we shouldn't, but you will always know where I stand and I will always talk straight with you. The people I represent will always have their wants and needs top of mind and it is my job to be their voice. I am not running for personal glory, I am running because for too long politicians in this state have put the priorities of their party and personal ambition ahead of the needs and wants of the people they are supposed to represent. Politicians work for the people, not the other way around.