CT Patch Candidate Profile: Alma Sarelli For 136th District

Westport, 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.

Alma Sarelli, a Westport resident, is running for State Representative for 136th District:

Campaign website

https://almaforstaterep.com

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

Bachelor's Degree Business Management

Occupation

Vice-President
15+ years

Family

I have 2 girls, 18 & 20 years old, and 2 boys 13 & 17 years old. The boys attend Staples High School and the girls attend universities as undergraduates.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

N/A

Previous public office, appointive or elective

No

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running for Connecticut State Representative for the 136th District because I want to return the focus to the basic priorities all of us share.

The first responsibility of government is the safety of its citizens.

I want to keep taxes down so Connecticut can compete as an attractive destination for businesses and hard-working families.

Education is a top priority: we need schools that focus above all on learning and achievement. Let’s educate, not indoctrinate. Schools should focus on teaching reading, writing, and mathematics. Our schools should celebrate and respect the individuality and uniqueness of all our children, regardless of their background or appearance. Our children do best when their parents are informed about and actively participate in their education.
Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

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

I am new to politics. I don’t have political aspirations for higher office. I will represent the people of Westport, not special interests like union bosses, state contractors, and political party insiders.

I will not support any new revenue initiatives until we have 1) enacted the necessary definitions to implement the Constitutional spending cap that residents were promised and 80% of Connecticut voters ratified at the time the state income tax was enacted, and 2) repealed the sweetheart Prevailing Wage law that dramatically inflates our State’s and Town’s costs and is a giveaway to union bosses and state contractors. I believe that, where possible, decisions are best made by government closest to the people: better in Westport than Hartford, and better in Hartford than Washington. With my 15+ Years of business leadership experience I know how to make Connecticut an attractive state in which to do business and how to focus on the priorities important to Westporters.

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

My opponent has not represented the interests of Westporters. Instead, he has represented the interests of special interests like union bosses, state contractors, and political party insiders. For most of his time in office, he has supported as his party’s leader, including as the Speaker of the House (a position that effectively controls all significant legislation), a Representative employed as one of the Bosses of one of the largest state worker unions. From 2010 to 2020, Income taxes paid by Westporters to the state have increased by over $100 million to close to $265 million per year, while worker compensation and benefits has been one of the largest and fastest growing parts of our budget.

According to a report from Reason Magazine, Connecticut’s cost for Capital and Bridge Disbursements per state controlled lane mile was $96,956 compared to the average for all states of $36,681, but rather than working to repeal Connecticut’s giveaway Prevailing Wage Law that inflates our costs, my opponent worked to impose new tolls on Connecticut residents. Car thefts and home break ins have increased in Westport, both exacerbated by bail reform laws supported by my opponent.

Rather than work to make effective the Constitutional spending cap voted for by over 80% of Connecticut voters following the enactment of the income tax, my opponent has tried to eviscerate it by working to exclude important items such as unfunded pension obligations from its coverage.

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

Other issues I plan to address are planning and zoning decisions and affordable housing initiatives. These should be directed by town bodies and not in Hartford.

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

I have 15+ years of business leadership experience with a successful company I founded. It seems to me that the common sense skills needed to run a small business are in short supply in Hartford and are what is needed to refocus our government on serving the people rather than government insiders.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice people gave me was that success is almost always preceded by failures, and even if the road is rough, you can only reach your destination if you continue the journey.

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

I support Connecticut’s current law on abortion which permits abortion until fetal viability at the discretion of the woman and her medical advisors and thereafter if necessary to preserve her life or health.

I support the 2nd Amendment, and I also support Connecticut’s laws requiring permits and safe gun storage and limiting unnecessarily large capacity magazines and certain types of guns. I agree with red flag laws that remove guns from individuals under appropriate circumstances and with appropriate due process protections.