Tolland Lawmaker On Threatening Letter: 'This Won't Break Me'

TOLLAND, CT — State Rep. Tammy Nuccio is describing threatening correspondence recently sent to her as an "absolutely terrifying event," but is also vowing to press on with her love of public service. She also said both constituents and lawmakers can learn from the experience.

"This won't break me," Nuccio said in a statement to Patch. "I'm shaken but I will not be deterred."

Nuccio is a Republican representing the 53rd House district. She also sits on the Tolland Town Council. A scathing letter recently sent to her led to the arrest of a Tolland man by State Capitol Police. Justin Gagnon surrendered on a warrant Monday and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on Sept. 21, according to authorities. He has been charged with second-degree threatening, second-degree breach of peace and second-degree harassment, according to authorities. Gagnon is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on Sept. 21.

"We are living in unique times, and over the past several years, our society has become increasingly polarized," Nuccio said. "Political rhetoric, at all levels, has been dangerously escalating on all sides. I understand how people have become very agitated and emotional over political topics. I also understand that people can "have a bad day.

"However, the threats of extreme violence made against anyone in our society, regardless of whether they are an elected official or not, cannot be tolerated and must be taken seriously. The threat directed toward me from a constituent was extremely frightening to both my family and myself. Our home lives have been irreparably impacted."

Nuccio said she had never spoken to the author of the letter and described shooting threats, references to "a Nazi" and Fascism as some of its themes.

"This is all driven by lies, assumptions and a very dangerous rhetoric that remove a person's humanity and makes it allowable to threaten them," she said. "This is not acceptable. Words are important, there is responsibility that comes with those words."

Nuccio said the high road can be taken.

"I hope those who are emotionally impacted to such an extreme degree can get the help they need or find a way to vent their frustrations without threatening words or actions of violence," she said. "I have never felt threatened or felt fearful in the town I have lived in for 37 years until this incident. Politics and public service need not be overly combative, or caustic and my hope is lessons can be learned from this unfortunate matter. I, like so many in our community, hope that we can all begin to heal the divides between us and work together for the betterment of our residents. I appreciate the actions taken by Capitol police. Both they and the Connecticut State Police have been extremely helpful and reassuring during this time. The matter is now in the hands of public safety officials and our
criminal justice system."

Nuccio thought about the statement and offered one more follow-up.

"We need to start talking to each other again," she said.