CT Patch Candidate Profile: Don Mastronardi For State Representative

NORWALK, CT — Election Day on Nov. 3, 2026, is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Connecticut.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the state and town.

Candidate's Name:

Don Mastronardi

What office are you seeking?

State Representative District 142

Age:

50

District:

142

Party:

Republican/Indy

Campaign website:

https://www.donforct.com

Occupation:

Business Owner

Family:

Wife Lisa, and two kids, daugther Mia 19, son Drew 17

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No.

Previous public office:

Inland Wetlands New Canaan.

Why are you seeking this office?

I think we need opposing voices in Hartford to counter 1 party rule that has dominated the State Government for decades. Under 1 party rule we have seen corruption, election fraud, increasing costs across the board and a lack of focus at local level in favor of national politics. For too long, 1 party has dominated our the state and it has resulted in zero checks and balances and a government that favors special interests vs the people who are footing the bills and being crushed by some of the highest taxes, debt, and living costs in the entire country. Year after year we see policies that hurt the tax payers while 1 party has focused on national politics to deflect from their failed policies at the local level.

What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?

Affordability has been the number 1 issue in this state for past 2 decades. Year after year we watch taxes and costs go up and while special interests get taken care of at the expense of the working class. Our state ranks near the top for all the wrong things, like taxes, electricity rates, debt, along with increasing corruption while ranking near the bottom for unemployment rate, business growth, and business environment. One party rule believes in tax, tax and more tax so they can spend to keep their special interests happy. Builders take advantage of the 8-30g law that raises property taxes so these builders can get tax breaks on so called "affordable housing." Businesses are treated like ATM machines and are asked to give more and more and for what benefit? Minimum wages keep going up that only help a small fraction of the working population but increase costs for everyone. Instead of coming up with a tax plan that would allow people on the lower pay scales to keep more of their money they put the burden on small businesses which increase costs for all citizens. CT is one of only a few states that won't comply with the no tax on tips and overtime while pretending that they care about the working class. I would cut taxes to zero for all people making under the median income in the city or town they work in. I would freeze all minimum wage increases and allow businesses to compete for labor and let the market determine what rates should be. I would work to repeal 8-30 g and let towns and cities determine how they want their towns and cities to look in terms of new construction. There is no silver bullet to address affordable housing but one way to lower costs is to cap property taxes and let people keep more of their money and make State government smaller and more efficient. I would institute terms limits at 3 terms for State Rep and 3 terms for State Senate. Governor gets 2 terms, just like the President. Enough of these career politicians who are only interested in their own power vs. doing what is right for the taxpayers of this state. My government philosophy is very simple, let people keep more of their hard earned money and make government smaller and more efficient. I would push to eliminate the car tax and additional personal property taxes that business owners have to pay on their equipment and everything in their buildings that they have already paid taxes on! Make town and cities make cuts in government to make up for the loss revenue. Lets make CT more affordable by lowering taxes, improving our business environment so we can grow and add more to the tax base to lower taxes and costs for everyone. Ask yourself this question when you are in the voting booth, what have you got over the past 20 years that would make you want to vote for the status quo. I think the vast majority know this State is going in the wrong direction so it is time for new ideas, not the same old tax and spend that only increase costs for all hard working people of Connecticut.

Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?

Energy costs are going up because of the ridiculous regulations and added taxes that we all have to pay. The tax on gas in this state is some of the highest in the country, why? We are a small state why do we continue to push the cost burden on the tax payer? I would lower our gas tax which is a regressive tax that hurts the working poor the most. I would eliminate the public benefit from all energy bills. Why should taxpayers have to pay their own bills and then those that don't pay their bills too? I would work with our electric suppliers and offer incentives to keep costs from rising and look to increase access to natural gas and look for ways to increase our use of nuclear power which is far more efficient and cleaner for the environment. We have to change our approach on how we work with our energy suppliers and stop picking and winners and losers based on ideology and take a more practical and efficient approach to lower costs for our residents.

Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?

I laid out many ideas in a previous question but to lower costs you have to make government smaller and more efficient and stop over taxing and regulating businesses and residents. You have to get rid of the special interests carve outs that always get taken care of like State Unions and builders and start prioritizing the taxpayers and businesses that fuel our economy. We have to make serious changes to our pension system and shift to a 401K style retirement that most of us have in the private sector. That extra money we keep using to pay down this pension debt (some of the highest in the country) can be diverted back to the taxpayer allowing them to have more money in their pockets and help with the affordability issues we are facing in this state and only getting worse. We need to have a better balance and look to cut costs to run the State before the affordability issues will improve.

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

I have had a very diverse career path starting in corporate finance and now as a business owner. I have held numerous management positions in the private sector and now the CEO and owner of multiple businesses. I have to be able to understand finance, HR, regulations, taxes, asset management, managing of people and most importantly how to budget money. I think running business makes you uniquely qualified to work in government because you are exposed to every tentacle of government and understand how much waste and over reach there is. Every time I show people some of the ridiculous taxes that small businesses have to pay they are shocked. For example, why did Democrats put an extra 1 percent sales tax on prepared food and restaurants and other select industries? How does that make things more affordable for our citizens?

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

I am an open book when it comes to my positions and viewpoints. I don't expect everyone to agree with me on every position but I am open to discuss and come to common ground. However, my government approach is simple, any policy or position should work to allow hardworking people to keep more of their money and keep government out of our lives as much as possible. I am a limited government fiscal conservative who doesn't believe in being loyal to any party or any single politician. I don't believe in telling anyone what to do with their bodies or what medical decisions they choose to make, period. I believe in the rule of law and I support law enforcement to do a dangerous job and keep us all safe. I think we need to support our teachers and help them provide the best and safest environments to teach our children. I don't believe in paying a superintendent hundreds of thousands of dollars when that money could be better used to pay teachers or support programs in danger of being cut. Lets bring some common sense to Hartford vs the career politicians whose only ambition is growing their power and influence at the expense of our hardworking taxpayers.