2022 State Election Candidates

Senator Tony Hwang represents Connecticut’s 28th Senatorial District, which includes the towns of Fairfield, Newtown, Easton, Weston and Westport. He lives in Fairfield with his wife, Grace, and their children, Christina and Peter.

The Fairfield resident and married father of two was born in Taiwan to parents that had escaped Communist China as teens and lived under martial law in Taiwan. Neither parent had attended college and both worked as blue collar laborers. “Without education, their prospects in Taiwan for economic success and future opportunities for their family were limited,” said Tony of his parents, “so my dad came, by himself, to the United States to seek better opportunities and The American Dream for us.”

Tony and the rest of his family eventually moved to Watertown, NY where they lived in a federal housing project. Tony took English as a second language (ESL) classes and benefited greatly from what he described as “passionate, caring teachers and administrators” in the public school system. Tony also received invaluable support from the Upward Bound educational assistance programs, sacrificing Saturdays and summer vacation to receive instruction and coaching.

Tony graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in labor relations and organizational behavior from Cornell University. After working briefly with United Technologies, he entered the executive search business, ultimately founding his own company recruiting technology executives. For the past several years, Tony has been involved in residential real estate.

Tony’s commitment to public service began in 2005 when a town educational issue motivated Tony to run for and win a position on the Fairfield Representative Town Meeting. In 2008, concerned about CT’s fiscal accountability and struggling environment for jobs and businesses, Tony ran for and won the State Representative seat representing the 134th district representing Fairfield and Trumbull. He quickly established a track record of what he termed “fiscal responsibility, moderate and responsible social views and an unwavering passion and commitment” to his community. In 2010 and 2012, Tony was re-elected again by double-digit margins with bipartisan voter support. In 2014, Tony became the first Asian-Pacific American State Senator in Connecticut history. As an Assistant Republican Leader in the Senate, Tony has worked hard with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and with his constituents, to created policies and programs that protect Connecticut’s most vulnerable residents and provide opportunity for all communities, and he has held a hard line when the Governor sought to take away their funding.

Tony has received awards and commendations by organizations such as the Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs for his work with local youth, the League of Conservation Voters for championing environmental stewardship, AARP for his steadfast support for seniors, the Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association for his unwavering advocacy on their behalf, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for his support of their efforts, and the CT Council on Problem Gambling for upholding their values in the legislature, among others.

To Support Tony CLICK HERE!

Marty Foncello - State House District 107

Martin Foncello, former Brookfield First Selectman, has been endorsed as the GOP candidate for State Representative in the 107th House District. The 107th district now includes all of Brookfield as well as the Stony Hill section of Bethel and the northern section of Newtown. This new district was a result of the redistricting of Connecticut this past winter.

Marty served two terms as First Selectman during the period from December 1999 to December 2003. Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Lieutenant Colonel Foncello was called up from the Army Reserve to Active Duty in Washington, D.C., where he served as an Intelligence Officer with the Army’s Intelligence and Security Command. During his tour in Washington, Marty was able to continue his duties as Brookfield’s First Selectman.

After leaving elected office, Marty accepted a senior position in the newly created Department of Homeland Security (DHS) within their Office of Intelligence & Analysis. He was assigned to New York City where he has provided intelligence support to the NYPD, FDNY and other federal, state, and local agencies.

Since he completed his service as First Selectman, Marty has stayed active in town and state politics. He has worked with members of the Brookfield Republican Town Committee, served as a Delegate to several State Conventions and continues to serve as one of Brookfield’s Justices of the Peace.

To Support Martin CLICK HERE!

State Rep Mitch Bolinsky is "all-in" for re-election and a sixth-term in the Connecticut General Assembly, proudly and passionately representing his hometown, Newtown, with integrity, common sense and reason.

He is an Assistant Republican Leader, serving on the legislature’s powerful Appropriations Committee, Education Committee and Aging Committee. He's a founding member of the legislature's I/DD (Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities) Caucus, CT Rare Disease Caucus, Animal's Rights Caucus, Firefighter / EMS Caucus & School Safety Caucus.

Representative Bolinsky is dedicated to providing caring constituent service to the children, families, seniors and businesses in town. His focus on economic development and job creation has made him a highly effective advocate for the people of the 106th District.

Before joining the state legislature, Rep. Bolinsky established a long record of service to his community and has held a number of local offices. In 2011, he was elected to serve as a Legislative Councilman, a position he held until his election to the General Assembly. On the Legislative Council, Bolinsky served on the Finance & Administration Subcommittee and as Vice Chairman of the Ordinance Subcommittee.

Prior he served on Newtown’s Economic Development Commission for two terms, on Newtown’s Board of Ethics for two terms and concurrently is serving as a local Justice of the Peace. It was these and other community service roles that contributed to his passion for public service and for leading, organizing and promoting positive values within the community.

Rep. Bolinsky believes that one of the keys to Connecticut’s and Newtown’s future will be our return to a less burdensome, less-regulating government that does not presume to pick winners but instead rewards entrepreneurial spirit and helps remove barriers to growth and innovation. The essential services needed to thrive as a community are better funded by a thriving state and local economy than through the current governor’s administration’s stale, economy-busting imposition of more and more taxes and our structural over-reliance on property taxes.

Prior to being elected, Rep. Bolinsky worked more than 27 years in the private sector, including five years as Principal of M-Vision Insights, a marketing and regulatory affairs consultancy. In that role he helped advise and provide research and analytical insights to small and mid-sized businesses, primarily operating or investing in the American automotive industry.

From 2007 to 2010, Rep. Bolinsky was Director of Marketing and Regulatory Affairs at IDQ/Interdynamics. During that time, he co-authored state and federal legislation to reduce the effects of global-warming and developed an industry-first, consumer-friendly recycling program for automotive air conditioning systems. His work was written into Congress’ bipartisan American Clean Energy & Security Act of 2009. As trade association liaison for the Automotive Refrigeration Products Institute, he collaborated with industry peers, legislators, U.S. & state EPA entities, consumer advocacy & environmental groups, achieving positive outcomes. Previously, he was a Senior Group Product Manager at ITW/Permatex from 2002 to 2007.

Rep. Bolinsky resides in Newtown with his wife of 37 years, Luisa. Their daughter, Rachel was married to Adam in 2019. She's a UConn grad with a Masters from the University of Hartford and is a practicing mental-health provider, licensed by the State of CT. Their son, Matthew, graduated PITT, Summa Cum Laude and earned his Cum Laude Juris Doctorate from George Washington University School of Law and passed his Bar Exam, en routed to becoming an Law Associate at a firm in our nation's capitol.

Luisa and Mitch are incredibly proud of the fine people their children have grown to be.

To Support Mitch CLICK HERE!

His roots are on Dixwell Avenue in New Haven, where his family lived in a three-family home. Having his grandparents on the first floor meant lots of stories about how his family came to America through Ellis Island from Poland.

Bob learned the value of a dollar and the importance of hard work from his parents who both worked multiple jobs to save up and provide for their family.

Bob attended Fairfield University and after graduation started a job as an auditor at Price Waterhouse Cooper, working at the Gold Building in Hartford, where he met the love of his life, Amy. Since then, Bob has built a career rooted in accountability, leadership and humility; and a family grounded in faith, honesty and respect.

Bob is both a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Analyst. He received his Master’s in Business Administration from Cornell University, and served as a Wharton Business School Fellow, taught as an adjunct faculty at NYU Stern Business School, London Business School, Cambridge University and as a visiting professor of management practice at Oxford University.

Bob’s experience spans the globe and includes positions as Chief Executive of some of the world’s largest companies, including General Electric, formerly based in Connecticut, and UBS.

As an executive and global business leader, Bob has taken on tough assignments, reforming business practices to create a culture of transparency, fairness and accountability. When Bob took over as CEO of a global company, the first thing he did was move out of the corner office sending a message that Bob didn’t feel he was better than anyone else. Then he got rid of the lavish company cars and raffled off his company car, a perk he felt sent the wrong signal to employees and shareholders.

Beyond his business experience, Bob has been involved in community organizations throughout Connecticut for decades including his service on the Board of Directors of the Cardinal Shehan Center in Bridgeport.

In 2020, Bob and Amy co-founded and launched “Masks for Heroes”, in an effort to help the state fight COVID-19 during the early stages of the pandemic when PPE was in dire need. Through a network of volunteers and donors across the state, this grassroots initiative would provide more than 1.6 million masks for hospitals, first responders and nursing homes in Connecticut who were desperate at that time for any protection.

They went on to also co-found Masks for CT and organized over 14 mask distribution drive-up events across CT to ensure anyone still unable to obtain a mask who wanted one had one. At its height, the organization would oversee three events per week with countless volunteers helping to give away up to 60,000 masks per day!

Bob is a proud dad to his three daughters who are a daily reminder of what’s most important in life.

To Support Bob CLICK HERE!

The daughter of an elementary school teacher and entrepreneur, Laura Devlin has worked throughout her life to serve others and give back to our communities.

Laura’s career took her to the Big Apple, with a job in the city and roots planted in Fairfield. Laura would follow in her father’s entrepreneurial footsteps and start her own communications firm in Connecticut, closer to her family and the state and community that’s home.

Like many of us, Laura Devlin understands the devastating effects the state’s fiscal mismanagement has had on our families – constant state tax hikes, lack of affordability, a breakdown in trust of government spending. Laura went to work to change things for the better in Hartford, where she has won against the toughest odds in the fight for affordability, public safety, openness, and transparency.

To Support Laura CLICK HERE!

Attorney Jessica Kordas of Norwalk is the Republican candidate for the office of state Attorney General. As Attorney General, Jessica will represent the interests of the state of Connecticut while ensuring and protecting the rights and civil liberties guaranteed to all citizens of Connecticut.

Jessica has had a dynamic career in law and has earned the reputation as a meticulously prepared and diligent advocate. Kordas has managed large scale criminal defense and life-altering injury litigation along with negotiating and drafting agreements dividing a variety of complex income and asset structures – critical skills and experience to be an effective Attorney General. Her unique professional background also includes managing and reorganizing medical facilities, researching, drafting, and preparing trading agreements, and assisting financial traders in maintaining licensing and credentials.

Jessica has spent her career protecting and defending the rights of individuals, ensuring that the government not overstep its authority and, standing up for our Constitutional rights day in and day out.

Licensed to practice in Connecticut, New York and the US District Court, Attorney Kordas has had the benefit of appearing in courtrooms across Connecticut and New York. She is a native of Norwalk, attended local schools and, most importantly, is a mom to two great children, Amilia and Ethan.

Jessica Kordas earned her BGS from University of Connecticut in Law and Society. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Pace University School of Law, where she graduated Cum Laude, all while working fulltime for a Greenwich financial firm.

She is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, the Fairfield County Bar Association, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, the New York Bar Association and the National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers.

She has been named a “Rising Stars” in the legal profession by Super Lawyers five years in a row – a national rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have obtained a high rate of peer recognition and achievement.

While this is Kordas’ first attempt at elective office, this is not her first foray into the political arena. In addition to being a member of the Norwalk Republican Town Committee, Jessica became involved in public debate over the operation of our public schools during the pandemic. She is concerned that the state and federal governments are not meeting their responsibilities by defending the Constitutional rights of all citizens, that the government has overstepped its authority and is attempting to minimize parents’ role in raising and advocating for their children and seeking to erode our Constitutional rights and accumulate more power in a select few people.

To Support Jessica CLICK HERE!

Harry is running for Connecticut State Treasurer to bring leadership and experience to Hartford. He has over 25 years of experience in investment management and running a successful business in Greenwich. Five years ago, Harry pivoted to public service to give back to his community. As state rep for Connecticut's 151st district, he has fought tirelessly for his constituents.

Harry and his wife Nisha are raising their three kids in Greenwich. Harry came to the United States from India as a graduate student 27 years ago and naturalized as an American citizen in 2004. Harry truly represents the American dream.

Harry founded and led a successful investment management business for almost two decades. Strategic thinker with proven record of achievement. He has 25 years of experience in portfolio management. Proven risk manager with a track record of outperformance. Strong understanding of macro trends and fixed income. He is currently the State representative for Connecticut's 151st District and Ranking Member of Labor Committee. Experienced with the legislative process.

Dominic Rapini - Secretary of the State

“I am incredibly humbled and honored to receive the Connecticut Republican Party’s endorsement as their Secretary of the State candidate for November. Our campaign’s message of safe and secure elections and streamlined business procedures coupled with my nearly 40 years of technology and business experience clearly resonated with the delegates. Connecticut needs Republican leadership and Republican values now more than ever and I am committed to bringing those ideas to the state-wide ticket in November.”

--Dominic Rapini, Republican Candidate for Secretary of the State

Dominic Rapini has spent the past 25 years as a top salesperson for one of Silicon Valley’s most prestigious and successful brands. Dominic is a lifelong resident of New Haven County, where he lives with his wife Susan, their three grown children and their adopted family. Dominic graduated from the highly regarded Charter Oak Leadership program in 2020 and has been a leader in the community for over 30 years as a Pop Warner Coach, Board chair of Fight Voter Fraud, board member for Grass Roots East, and member of the Connecticut Republican Assembly.

Mary M. Fay, a resident of West Hartford for 19 years, is a Financial Services Senior Executive. She has held several senior business leadership roles, including Senior Vice President and General Manager of Sun Life Financial, where she also chaired diversity and inclusion employee resource groups and served on Sun Life boards. Mary has also been Senior Vice President of GE Capital, and Senior Vice President of ING. Starting out as a financial analyst, Mary has also held executive positions at Travelers, Hartford HealthCare, The Hartford and AIG.

Mary is the daughter of a school teacher, was raised in East Hartford and attended public schools. She went on to graduate from Skidmore College, with a B.S. In business/accounting and a minor in government. She played basketball and started the women's softball team at Skidmore. Mary earned an M.B.A. From Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Active in her community, Mary is a three-term member of West Hartford’s Town Council. She was appointed to the West Hartford library board, is a frequent volunteer at Morley school, is active in Concerned Citizens of West Hartford and Save our Water, CT. She also serves on the board of overseers for Newton-Wellesley hospital, is chair of the reviewing stand for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade, and was named a "Top Woman in Business" by Hartford Business Journal. Mary has served as an alumni admissions correspondent for Skidmore College since graduating. Mary was an inaugural member of West Hartford's first Parent Leadership Training Institute, where she was elected class speaker at the state wide graduation at the state capital.

She is a member of the Irish American Home Society and The Thistle Lawn Bowling Club, and is a parishioner at St. Timothy’s.

To Support Mary CLICK HERE!

Jennifer Collins is the Republican Party endorsed candidate for Judge of Probate for the Northern Fairfield County Probate District (45th District). She will utilize her “Experience that Works” to ensure that the Probate Court works efficiently and effectively for the people. The Probate Court is meant to be a consumer friendly court. Jennifer will combine her vast legal experience with her core values of integrity, compassion and service to make this happen.

Since 1998, she has represented people - mostly injured and disabled individuals who have needed assistance rebuilding their lives after an unfortunate accident or event. This type of practice requires compassion, empathy, the ability to listen, but also then the ability to become an advocate and a voice.

As part of her law practice, has always agreed to assist the Probate Courts, taking on assignments in matters involving child welfare, adoption, conservatorships, and matters involving the elderly for more than 20 years.

Since 2010, she has been vetted and appointed by the Connecticut Judicial Branch to serve as a Magistrate, adjudicating small claims matters and motor vehicle infractions. In addition to mediating between litigants, managing trials, and hearing evidence in numerous courthouses covering every county in Connecticut, she has issued over 300 written decisions.

In 2021, she was awarded a Distinguished Leaders Award by the Connecticut Law Tribune for her work on behalf of her clients as well as her community service and her leadership within her law firm. She takes great pride in supporting numerous local charitable organizations through her firm and her leadership with young people.

Jennifer lives in Ridgefield with her husband, John (married 24 years), our children, Jillian and Alex, and Alex's Autism Service Dog, Chelsea.

Follow Jennifer on Facebook for campaign updates!

To Support Jennifer CLICK HERE!