Interview With Tod Laudonia, Republican Candidate for Connecticut House, 151st District

 

Screenshot (votefortod.com Campaign Website)

GVAT recently reached out to Greenwich Resident Tod Laudonia, Republican, running for the Connecticut State House representing the 151st district. Laudonia is no stranger to to public office having served four terms as Greenwich Tax Collector and 14 years on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) where he served on the Transportation and Parks and Recreation Committees. His family has been a staple of the 151st district (Cos Cob) for more than a century and is well known in Town and beyond. We wish to thank Mr. Laudonia for his time in answering these written interview questions.

You can learn more about Tod Laudonia's campaign by visiting his website Here

Q: Why are you running for State Representative of the 151st District?

A: I am running because I feel as though Hartford could use an injection of common sense. We have gone on long enough with elected officials who hold themselves above those who elected them. They are now in the business of governing the people where I feel we need to return to representing the people of the district who elected us.

 

Q: Would you like to provide a bio?

A: My family has lived in the 151st Assembly District for over 100 years. I was inspired by my grandfather and parents to be always involved in our community; I have worked in many different capacities over the years one paid, but mostly volunteer work. I believe it is our responsibility to participate and give back to our community.

I was elected and served 4 terms as Greenwich Tax Collector. I earned my designation as a Certified Connecticut Municipal Collector, the first Greenwich Tax Collector to achieve that designation. I also served as Vice-President of the Fairfield County Tax Collectors Association.

I am a licensed Real Estate Broker and have been a member of the Greenwich Association of Realtors since 1985.

I served on the RTM a total of 14 years, working on the Transportation Committee and the Parks & Rec Committee. I also served as the liaison between the Parks & Rec Committee and The Griff Golf Course.

I served as a St. Catherine of Siena representative on the Greenwich Catholic Board of Education for 11 years and was co-chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. We helped make the transition of the school from the Stanwich Road campus to the North Street campus.

I worked on the committee that was formed by then First Selectman, John Margenot, to investigate and recommend a course of action about the State of Connecticut’s offer to sell the Mianus Power Plant and the Mianus Pond to the Town for $1. The Cos Cob Park and the Emil Benvenuto Field are there now.

I am a member of the St. Lawrence Society and have served on the Board since 1995 and have been its President since 2007.

 

Q: Do you consider yourself an America First candidate? Which policies of the American first agenda appeal to you and why?

A: I always have and always will put American First. So much so that I call myself an American-Italian, not the other way around.

Secure borders, energy independence, American manufacturing by American workers, putting the safety and freedoms of our citizens above all else.

 

Q: Which policies of Governor Ned Lamont would you like replaced with America first policies?

A: I believe the bigger a government gets (whether it be local, state or federal), the more expensive it becomes. That burden always falls on the taxpayers and almost unfairly targets the middle class. Some of the mismanagement and failures of Hartford mandates during Covid crisis have been tough to overcome and will have lasting effects on many residents, especially children.

 

Q: What changes would you like to see at the State GOP and why?

A: I believe that GOP candidates can win in this town and state by standing strong on traditional republican values while also welcoming all the new ideas and energy of the GOP populist movement we have seen over the past decade.

I feel as though the Republican Party should embrace the wide tent approach and not alienate anyone who seeks to get informed and become involved in the local party. That is how we continue to grow our base and win back the state.

 

Q: Why are you not taking the CEP Money?

A: I will not be taking the funding from the Citizens’ Election Program because I do not believe the state or any government should be involved in financing people’s campaigns for office.

Q: We saw high levels of attacks and vitriol during the 2023 Municipal Election cycle here in Greenwich. Especially in the RTM race, which is supposed to be a non-partisan body, where a large portion of candidates were irrationally classified as “extremists”. If elected as a Republican Representative in Hartford, would you step in to condemn these sorts of attacks?

A: I would absolutely stand up and defend my constituents and community members against any hateful rhetoric that comes their way from national and local organizations.

 

Q: “Bi-partisanship” has been thrown around as a default answer by Republicans in getting things done in Harford. Unfortunately, the bi-partisanship only works in favor of Democrats. In other words, crossing the aisle never works in favor of Republicans, especially since Democrats hold the majority. What are your thoughts on this and how would you go about getting Democrats to come over to your side?

A:  I have never shied away from being a voice who speaks out against the majority, no matter how unpopular that may be in certain arenas. I believe Republicans should stick together and take a stand against the leftist agendas being pushed by Hartford. Caving only moves our state further into the deep end of progressive ideals.

 

Q: How do you define bipartisanship as a Republican candidate?

A: Returning to the days of true bipartisanship requires elected GOP officials to stand strong in forcing the current democrat party to move closer to the middle. That is the only way forward to where an elected body can honestly and efficiently work together.

 

Q: How would you energize the America First voters?

A: I feel the energy comes from unapologetically standing by effective policies. Being a champion for them and speaking the truth no matter the pushback.

Q: What are your thoughts on Democrats pushing their “green/climate agenda including pushing us away from fossil fuels and pushing more expensive alternative methods such as so called “renewable energy?”

A: I believe the Democrats are putting their thumbs on the scale of free enterprise. They are picking winners and losers. Forcing small businesses, entire industries and even individuals to give up their gas-powered vehicles, appliances or equipment is wrong.

 

Q: What are your thoughts on Greenwich Schools and the leadership, including the Board of Education? As a State Rep, how would you ebb the tide of DEI and wokeness in our schools and the hiring of unqualified administrators?

A: Public schools should be completely focused on the safety of their students while promoting high standards in traditional academics. Teachers and administrators should leave their politics at home. The most qualified teachers, coaches and administrators should be at the top of our town’s hiring lists.

 

Q: Do you support defunding/abolishing the Connecticut Department of Education in favor of local BOE control where decisions are made at the local level, there is more accountability and the one size fits all mandates and ludicrous policies forced on all towns would essentially be eliminated?

A: Local community members are the most adept at determining what is best for their school system. Hartford should not be interfering with our education network.

 

Q: Fairfield County essentially funds the rest of the state with little to show for it. In your capacity as State Rep, if elected, how would you secure more of a return on investment (ROI) for municipalities like Greenwich?

A: The real solution is to lower the taxes across the board in the State thus adding to affordability for everyone. Allowing the municipalities to govern themselves through home rule and eliminating unfunded mandates from Hartford is a big first step.

 

Q: What is your vision for Greenwich and Connecticut as a whole?

A: Smaller government with less intrusion in from outside and a greater reliance on citizen involvement through volunteerism in government service. Greenwich has been at the forefront of this concept and a great example of fiscal responsibility.

 

Q: What are your thoughts on boys/men competing in girls/women’s sports, sharing lockers and restroom in schools or other venues?

A: Boys should compete against boys and girls against girls. No biological boy should be in a female locker room. What I witnessed at the Olympics was highly disturbing, and it is happening in youth sports in our state.

 

Q: As an elected State Representative, how would you combat the forced 8-30g statutory mandates on Connecticut towns? Do you believe this statute should be repealed to allow municipal Planning and Zoning Boards to retain local control over Greenwich building?

A: We must continue our strong stance against the idea that Hartford has a right to dictate the shape and density of our towns. Zoning should be in the hands of local officials, local zoning boards and community members.

Q: Do you believe in term limits at all levels of government?

A: I fully support term limits. 100%. This is not intended to be a decades-long appointment.

 

Final thoughts on your campaign and message you would like to share with voters?

A: I am working hard to return our government to the people through the concept of fiscal conservatism by engaging citizens to participate more in our system. Government service is an honor not a career. Elected officials are there to represent their constituents not govern them.