Together, the House of Representatives and the Senate constitute the Connecticut General Assembly (CGA). The General Assembly enacts legislation dealing with state appropriations and finance, public welfare, the environment, public works, housing, education, civil and criminal laws, and other matters.The House of Representatives has the power to impeach executive and judicial branch officials.The Senate tries all impeachments of executive and judicial branch officials. In Connecticut, members of the state’s legislative body, the General Assembly, must be at least eighteen years old and reside in the district they represent. Senate and House members serve two-year terms. Candidates were asked to respond to questions developed by local Leagues of Women Voters (LWV). Candidates enter their replies directly into Vote411, and replies are not edited by the LWV.
Candidate Name
Hector Arzeno
Campaign Website
www.electhector.com
Campaign Email
hector@electhector.com
Instagram
@elect.hector.arzeno
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/electhector
I was introduced to Greenwich in 1986 and felt connected to the Town immediately. This is the town where I raised and educated my four children, both in the private and public schools. I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I graduated from the Catholic University of Argentina with a degree in Business Administration and attended the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business where I completed an Advanced Management Degree. I was elected in 2022 to serve as State representative to the 151st District.
I am proud of serving the 151st District each day, taking 276 votes in 2024 and achieving a 100% attendance record. Going through those votes there is so much to be proud of. We expanded voting rights with early voting, increased protections for pole workers with HB 5448, improving background checks for gun safety with HB5467, but the accomplishment I am most proud of is securing a twenty percent reimbursement for construction of the new Central Middle School through special legislative action. Without the twenty million dollars the grant is anticipated to bring to reduce direct cost to our taxpayers Greenwich faced delaying the project or moving forward forgoing a grant at greater direct expense to residents. My experience as a member of the Education Committee was central to advocacy for this vital project in the heart of Cos Cob.
Throughout my 40 year career, I acquired the many skills I utilize in my public service roles today. These include conflict resolution, a disciplined work ethic, a tireless devotion to achieving goals, and bringing plans to fruition. The challenges we face may in part be determined by decisions at the federal level as we continue to see a Supreme Court pass down edicts that go against longstanding national protections for reproductive rights and gun safety. This aside I anticipate the legislature will continue to focus on housing and energy. I am proud to be endorsed by the CT Realtors which reflects my work to enhance local authority in decisions around housing. We will focus on improving environmental legislation focused on protecting clean water and air for future generations and that energy is delivered in a sustainable and affordable way to all our residents.
Election results have real consequences. Each vote matters. This is our opportunity to participate in American democracy. Democracy is not something that exists without our active participation.
The best way to connect with residents on the issues that matter to them is to be available and accessible. I enjoy attending and speaking at events in the community and volunteering on local boards. As a delegation we have also held some meetings making sure to invite stakeholders and local leaders to specifically talk about legislative items at Greenwich Town Hall that may impact them directly. Of course responding to e-mails and calls is important and I sending a legislative mailer and weekly updates via e-mail. I encourage anyone who wishes to receive them to sign up at https://www.housedems.ct.gov/Arzeno I plan to continue these efforts in 2025.
It has been my experience that many bills in Connecticut are passed in a bi-partisan manner. When we went through orientation in my first days as a legislator we were told to be ready to focus on the issues and not the politics. I will continue to uphold values of respectful debate and inquiry that are foundational to accomplishing important progress for our residents and the State of Connecticut.
Candidate Name
Tod Laudonia
Campaign Website
www.votefortod.com
Campaign Email
tod@votefortod.com
Campaign Phone
(203)242-7662
Instagram
VoteForTod24
Facebook
Vote For Tod Laudonia State Representative
Twitter
@VoteForTod24
Elected 2009 - 4 terms Greenwich Tax Collector. Certified Connecticut Municipal Collector. Vice-President - Fairfield County Tax Collectors Association.
CT licensed Real Estate Broker, member - Greenwich Association of Realtors 1985-present.
RTM 14 years, Transportation Committee, Parks & Rec Committee.
Greenwich Catholic Board of Education 11 years, Co-chairman Buildings and Grounds Committee
Committee to research purchase of the Cos Cob Power Plant and Mianus Pond.
Member- The St. Lawrence Society 1974-present, Board member 1995-present, President 2007-present.
What gives me the most satisfaction in my life is working behind the scene to help those who need an understanding of options they may have before making decisions. Pride is not part of anything that I am doing as it was part of my upbringing that part of life is helping others in whatever way that you can.
Wresting local control back from Hartford and preventing bureaucratic creep from taking individual decision making and by extension eliminating our personal liberties. It is time to take a stand and open the eyes of legislators that is actually better to allow citizens to keep more of their own earnings and decide how to allocate personal assets. Redistribution of resources is an un-American concept and must be stopped. Hartford must learn to spend less and so collect less. Allow local elected officials to follow the mandates of their citizens when making decisions to spend and tax.
I do not believe that the upcoming election is more important than any other election. Our students should be taught civics and the logistics of how our government functions so that they will understand the importance of voting in every election. It has been said that elections have consequences but what elections truly do is tell those elected the direction that their constituents want government to follow. Elected Officials need to be reminded that their job is to represent the majority of their constituents not just their party.
I have always been engaged directly with my friends and neighbors. My family has lived in the 151st District for over 100 years and 4 generations. I will have greater resources as a State Representative that will allow me to connect more frequently with the entire district. I believe the use of all media types is helpful as different media reach different audiences, with all that being said there is no substitute for one on one conversations and regular in-person Town Hall type forums. I will not be a representative who is only seen at ceremonials where press coverage is optimal.
I have never shied away from being an individual who speaks his mind regardless of the reaction from partisans. I will not arrive in Hartford with a pre-conceived agenda. I will listen and speak with anyone who will use common sense and plain speak to explain the reasons to work for passage of any legislation.
