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John Samperi

Samperi, who is originally from West Haven, is a former councilman at large in West Haven, a former fire commissioner, and has been involved with Republican politics for about 25 years. He is also a member of the Connecticut Farm Bureau.

The Killingworth resident runs a heating and air conditioning company with help from his son and wife. As a small-business owner, the Republican candidate said he sees flaws in the economy and would to address those if elected by working to limit burdensome regulations on businesses.

“The commonsense solution to help the economy grow is to foster job growth, as job creation and increased consumer spending goes hand in hand. We have many people with fresh ideas who are willing and able to start new businesses, and businesses that already exist who are anxious to see their businesses grow,” said Samperi. “However, when they’re required to follow burdensome and obsolete regulations, as well as being required to pay fees simply for the right to be in business, it increases their cost of doing business, which in turn inhibits job growth.”

Important issues Samperi hopes to tackle include addressing the state’s budget by spending and borrowing only what the state can afford, getting rid of government agencies that aren’t working properly, and reducing taxes by making the state “business friendly.”

With the overwhelming budget deficits Connecticut continues to see, Samperi said a goal of his is to work to limit government spending in order to overcome the deficit.

“We are one of the richest states in one of the richest nations on earth, and yet, the state deficit has grown to be so monstrous despite the largest tax increase in Connecticut history that legislators are required to borrow $70 million from the State Transportation fund to balance the budget,” he explained. “I would reduce spending by eliminating inefficiencies and redundancies in state government. I would stop spending on programs and/or commissions that have little value.”

With many schools in the state going through building or renovation projects, Samperi also said state reimbursement for school construction is a current policy he is supporting.

“I will fight to retain the reimbursement for school construction (rumored to be at risk). I have already worked hard to limit local government spending on outrageous projects, allowing that money to be allocated for better expenses, such as education,” he said.

Since announcing his candidacy, Samperi has been busy knocking on doors talking to people in the community. He said it’s not about winning or losing; it’s about making a difference and bringing an issue to light that’s important to him.

“As [a] state assembly member, I will bring commonsense solutions to Connecticut. I will work to break through partisan gridlock and fight for commonsense priorities such as quality schools, honesty in government, and a budget that won’t saddle our children with debt. I am an advocate of tax fairness and of getting the greatest value from our tax dollars,” Samperi said. ““I’m truly going up to Hartford to change the way we do business in the state.”