Republican Marc Riccio is running for election as Branford’s 102nd District state representative on Nov. 3 against incumbent Democrat Robin Comey. The following information has been shared by Riccio’s campaign. Look for The Sound’s in-depth interview with Riccio coming in October.

Riccio is the Republican- and Connecticut Independent party-endorsed candidate for the seat. A Branford resident together with his wife, Kandi, since 1984, Riccio is active as a community volunteer, elected official, businessman, and entrepreneur.

Riccio has served Branford as an elected member of Branford’s Representative Town (RTM) since 2009, representing District 6. His campaign states Riccio has earned a reputation on the RTM as a “vocal voice for Branford taxpayers, providing essential budget oversight and supporting our town departments” especially the police and fire departments.

Riccio has served as vice chair of the Branford Republican Town Committee since 2010. His campaign website can be viewed at www.riccioforbranford.com and followed on Faceboook at www.facebook.com/RiccoforBranford.

Riccio’s business experience includes more than 30 years as CEO and founder of a Connecticut technology company, Specialized Data Systems, advising government and private sector businesses on preparing for disasters that can shut down internal operations and disrupt government operations, including recent events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, power outages, and pandemics like COVID-19.

If elected to serve as Branford’s 102nd District state representative in November, Riccio plans to work to protect Branford’s rainy-day fund and Branford’s property taxes, support police and first responders, prevent regionalization of school systems, and modify affordable housing regulations.

On protecting the rainy day fund and property taxes, Riccio’s campaign stance is that “Hartford politicians have made no qualms about the way they overspend and mismanage our state. If Hartford has its way, Branford will be forced to compensate for the bailouts of irresponsible neighboring towns and cities, putting our rainy-day fund at risk. Hartford wants to penalize Branford for being fiscally responsible.”

With regard to supporting police and first responders, Riccio believes that “the first duty of government is to keep our communities safe.” He states the “Defund the Police” movement “is dangerous and puts us and our families at risk. Undermining police officers ability to make critical split-second decisions can mean the difference between life and death. Our citizens deserve a police force that can provide Branford citizens security and peace of mind. On July 24, 2020, my opponent voted to...support House Bill 6004. This bill...will [limit] qualified immunity and force municipalities to purchase additional insurance coverage for police officers at exorbitant costs which will lead to higher taxes. I pledge to modify this bill to protect our taxes and support qualified immunity for our police officers.”

Riccio is against regionalization of Branford School systems with other towns.

“Hartford wants to merge the Branford school system with neighboring towns...To do so would degrade the quality of our children’s education. Connecticut has the best education systems in the country, and a key factor that has allowed us to flourish is our founding principle of local control. I will unequivocally reject any legislation that would strip control from the towns or cause parents to lose their say on how their children will be educated.”

Ricco said affordable housing regulations need to be modified to “incorporate the special needs of senior citizens, veterans, and the disabled. Provisions in the existing laws need to be enacted so that our citizens with the greatest needs are not overlooked. Branford has plenty of affordable housing units including apartments, condos, and mobile homes.”

Riccio shared the following statement on his message and focus: “For the past 10 years, I have proudly served on the Branford RTM and have become known, on both sides of the aisle, as someone who will work tirelessly to protect the taxpayer’s money. I have a track record of being fiscally responsible and when I vote on the Town of Branford budget issues, my main concern is how it impacts the citizens of Branford. Now I am ready to protect your hard-earned tax dollars in Hartford. My 30-plus years of business experience is desperately needed in Hartford, especially at this time of profound economic uncertainty. I’m excited to bring my extensive professional and political experience to Hartford. It is time Branford citizens have a more vocal voice in Hartford. A vote for Marc Riccio is a vote for Branford.”