CT Patch Candidate Profile: David Rutigliano For 123rd House District

TRUMBULL, 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.

David Rutigliano, a Trumbull resident, is running for State Representative 123rd House District.

Campaign website

www.rutigliano2022.com

Party affiliation

Republican, Independent

Education

ASOC

Occupation

Restaurateur / Culinary Director , 25 years+. I started my career as a chef. My business partners and i opened Southport Brewing Company in 1997, we have since opened three Sitting Duck Tavern Locations, including Trumbull, Stratford and Oxford. Local Kitchen & Beer Bar in Fairfield and Branford, SBC Restaurant in Milford. We are proud of our commitment to Connecticut and the people we employ. We believe it is important to support the communities we work and live in.

Family

Married to Michele, Sons David and Joseph who both attended Trumbull Public Schools, and a rescue beagle named Brandi 'Waffles"

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

no

Age

57

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Trumbull EDC, Trumbull Board of Finance, Current State Rep 123rd district

Why are you seeking this office?

It is truly an honor representing Trumbull in the legislature, while I am very proud of the things I’ve accomplished so far (getting our Republican budget passed, supporting mental health and opioid legislation, and helping to get 1.5 million for the Trumbull veterans center to name just a couple of the top ones), there are still more issues facing Connecticut residents that I’d like to fix, particularly now that I am in leadership as in the house - including making Connecticut safer and more affordable, promote better opportunities for our young people and to be friendlier to retirees along with maintaining local control of zoning and education.

We also need to reverse the anti-police legislation that was passed a couple of summers ago that has resulted in more crime, drugs and death throughout the state, as predicted at the time. I believe all power should be held accountable, however it is important that law enforcement be given the tools necessary to keep us safe.

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

"Affordability and Public Safety." We need to decrease spending and taxes across the board and extend the spending, borrowing and volatility caps our Republican Budget of 2017 established in the bond covenants for another 5-10 year and not let them expire June 2023. The reasons for the surpluses we are experiencing are due to the budget passed in 2017 (as a result of the legislature being better balanced).

Despite the foregoing, the excessive spending by the majority party has actually increased one of the highest unfunded debt per capita in the country from $75 billion to $95 billion in the last two years alone. Because of the anti-business legislation passed over the last decade, we are the only state in the country with fewer jobs now than we had in 2008.

We need to stop Hartford from reducing the amount of local control our communities have over education and zoning. We know what is best for our students and communities through our local Boards of Education and Zoning Commissions. Hartford should work collaboratively with municipalities utilizing incentives rather than mandates.

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

I am a proven bipartisan leader with years of experience getting things done.

I am a leader in the house who has gotten dozens of bills passed and improved hundreds of other bipartisan pieces of legislation. I believe over the last years few legislators have had as much input on major pieces of legislation than myself. I am often called upon to negotiate a bill, make it better, and get it passed.

Michele and I are entrenched in our community we both volunteer heavily, including on the Little League board and the Trumbull Animal Group. I have a business in town which supports and donates to many local organizations.

I make it a point to listen and have conversations with fellow Trumbull families. I understand their struggles and concerns. I believe my years of participation in the real world economy gives me a unique understanding of the issues facing us and the policies necessary to get Connecticut moving again.

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

Although this question is not addressed to me, I would vehemently dispute any assertion I have failed the community in anyway. I generally work six to seven days a week year-round in my chosen profession and as a legislator.

I have done my best for the residents of Trumbull. Had I not stepped in Gov. Malloy would have removed all our education funding. I have advocated for local control over zoning and education. I have procured state money for the Sherlock center, our veterans and first responder building and many other projects.

I have been involved in passing many important pieces of legislation (from the firefighter cancer bill, to data privacy, just to name a couple) there are few issues that I do not get involved in one way or another, always working in a bipartisan manner trying to build consensus.

We have proposed legislation that would have reduced taxes on all Trumbull families and seniors. I am committed to opportunity for our young people; CT does not always have to be last in every economic ranking. I believe the state that is home to every invention from the Cotton gin, nuclear submarine, the Frisbee and the hamburger should be doing better. We should not force our young people, entrepreneurs and innovators out of our state. CT needs to create an environment where people can thrive right here.

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

The main issues facing Connecticut residents are Safety, affordability, managing of our state Finances/Debt, Job Growth and Local Control of Education and Zoning. The majority party would like to talk about other issues in an effort to avoid their failed management of the CT economy; one party rule has not served Connecticut residents well.

Under approximately 50 years of one-party rule in the Connecticut legislature, we have one of the highest unfunded debt per capita in the country – a debt that just increased from $75 billion to $95 billion in the last two years alone because of the massive spending increases.

Connecticut is the only state in the country that pays the public sector more than the private sector for the same job. The majority in Hartford has increased taxes and spending and wants to distract you from our state finances. The Majority in Hartford has passed the most anti-small business legislation in the country over the last few terms. We have less jobs in Connecticut now than we had in 2008. The majority has limited police officers’ ability to defend themselves and do their jobs, such that some police now avoid active policing which, as predicted, has led to an increase in crime, illegal drugs and death throughout our state.

Education / Zoning - Hartford has eroded local control of education and zoning and they have called for further state control of education and zoning in 2023. We need to stop this effort.

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

I have a proven record of delivering for the citizens of Trumbull. I have received the endorsement of major law enforcement organizations, including the Trumbull Police Union, the Fraternal Order of Police and the CT State Police Union. I have also received the endorsement of the Uniform Professional Firefighters Association. Further evidence of my effectiveness can be seen by my endorsements by the working men and women of the Trade Union Council, the National Federation of Independent Business, CT Realtors and the Association of Retired Teachers.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Growing up in Waterbury, my father died when I was very young. My mother was the rock and the leader of our family. without her I certainly would not be the man I am today. I hear myself saying some of the words of wisdom she said to me to my sons. Timeless advice about being a good person, a good friend, and doing your best. My mother always stressed that life never just "happened to you" that you were an active participant in the direction of your own life.

Relationships (friendships) are like a gardens she would always say, you have to water them, and give them attention if you want them to grow. My Grandmother emigrated from Italy and was widowed very young with four children, two of wich were handicapped (polio), if anyone should have been beaten down or bitter it might have been her. She was the opposite, she loved America, she was so proud to be an American. Gammy would tell us all the time that this is the greatest country in the world and how she was grateful to be here. So maybe not advice, but a consistently great example of a life well lived and the importance of God, family and country.

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

Michele and I truly love the Trumbull community. We have shared so many life experiences and milestones with our friends and neighbors. We have laughed together and at times cried together as a community. Michele and I cherish the many lifelong friends we have made along the way. I enjoy talking with all of our residents. Speaking with many while knocking doors and attending events, I feel I have a understanding of the communities needs and concerns. One thing for sure is that we all have much more that unites us then divides us.