Republicans Nominate Mastronardi For 142nd District State Rep Race

NORWALK, CT — Don Mastronardi, a New Canaan resident and owner of Dry Dock Bar and Grill in Norwalk, received the unanimous endorsement of the Republican Party during the 142nd District Republican Convention on May 17.

In his acceptance speech, Mastronardi said he hoped to make real and lasting change in Connecticut, according to a news release provided by his press team.

"I stand before you tonight honored and inspired by all of your passion to make real and lasting change in our state," Mastronardi said in a news release. "Change that puts the individuals' needs first, versus the needs of the politically connected."

The 142nd District includes parts of Norwalk and New Canaan. The district is currently represented by Democratic State Rep. Lucy Dathan, who has held the position since 2019.

"We want a government of the people and for the people, who understand that politicians work for them and not the other way around," Mastronardi said. "We want a government that understands individual liberties and freedoms are the bedrock of this country and those rights are absolute and cannot be infringed upon under any circumstances even during a pandemic."

Born and raised in Cortland, N.Y., Mastronardi and his wife, Lisa, moved to Norwalk in 2001, where their kids attended Silvermine Elementary School. The family moved to New Canaan in 2016.

Mastronardi began his corporate career at Emerson Power Transmission as a cost accountant and later became an analyst for AIG Asset Management, Bristol Myers Squibb and Daymon Worldwide Marketing.

In 2015, Mastronardi and his wife, Lisa, became entrepreneurs and took over ownership of Dry Dock Café, their favorite Norwalk restaurant.

Mastronardi has also run the food and beverage operations at Silvermine Golf Club since 2018. In 2021, he added his third location with Dry Dock's Smokin' Aces at the Oak Hills Golf Park.

"For too long I have watched one party trying to control individuals, businesses, thinking, education, speech, and policing," Mastronardi said. "I could no longer sit on the sidelines and complain about what was happening. It was time to stand up and have the courage to do the hard work to help change the direction of our state."

Mastronardi also noted he stands for "a balanced business approach to government, where people are put ahead of special interests."

"For too long the taxpayers of this state carry the financial burden while special interests get rich," Mastronardi said. "We have some amazing candidates running and we have to support them by getting out there and knocking on doors, pushing back against the smears that will come, talking to friends and neighbors and reaching out to not only Republicans, but all political sides."