Naugatuck Deputy Mayor Tamath K. Rossi has launched her rematch against longtime incumbent state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco in the 17th district.
Rossi was seen by Republicans as providing one of the best chances for defeating an incumbent Democrat in 2008, but it never happened. Crisco, who has held the seat in his hometown of Woodbridge and surrounding communities since first winning in 1992, won yet another victory in a long streak that has now reached nine elections for the Senate.
The senatorial district also covers Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Naugatuck, and Hamden. Naugatuck is the political base for Rossi, where she has served as the deputy mayor since 2003.
Saying she started late in 2008, Rossi says she is now running again because Connecticut’s economy is still weak as the state faces a budget deficit of more than $500 million in the current fiscal year.
“I believe in the old adage that ‘the more government tries to do, the less it does well,’ ” said Rossi. “State government needs to get back to basics and that starts with balancing the budget by reducing spending, not raising taxes.”
“Connecticut continues to lose their talented young people to other states,” said Rossi, a mother of three children. “I have a 17-year-old headed to college this fall, and my greatest concern, as the concern of many parents, is whether or not he will be able to find employment and be able to afford to stay in his home state of Connecticut. We need to create sustainable jobs for our young people to insure they can settle in their home state after school and afford to raise their families and enjoy a good quality of life in our state.”
Crisco, a consultant who was born in New Haven, ranks among the longest-serving senators. A veteran lawmaker who has been involved in many business issues, he has served for years on the commerce, banks, and insurance committees.