CT Patch Candidate Profile: Ryan Fazio For 36th State Senate District

GREENWICH, CT — The 2022 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the gubernatorial election, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs. All five of Connecticut's congressional seats, plus one U.S. Senate seat, are up for grabs as well.

There are 151 seats in the state House of Representatives and 36 in the state Senate. Democrats currently hold majorities in both chambers.

Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Ryan Fazio, a Greenwich resident, is running for State Senator in the 36th State Senate District.

Campaign website

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

Northwestern University, BA, Economics; Greenwich High School

Occupation

Investment Professional

Family

I am blessed with wonderful parents, two younger brothers, and a little sister

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

32

Previous public office, appointive or elective

State Senator, 2021-present; Greenwich Energy Efficiency Committee 2021-present; Greenwich RTM 2019-2021

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running for election because this district is my home. I love this community, I want to protect it, and help create a brighter future for it and the entirety of Connecticut.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Our struggling state economy is the most important issue to most voters. Our taxes are too high, our cost-of-living is unreasonable, and our state bureaucracy is impenetrable. The statistics say that, but more importantly small businesses, families, and retirees tell me that. This is especially frustrating because our state has all the traits needed to succeed economically: an educated workforce, prime location, strong communities, and beauty. The only thing we lack is positive leadership and policy.

I've introduced a three-step plan for economic growth. First, provide immediate, across-the-board tax relief to alleviate the pain of inflation using part of the cash windfall from inflation and federal dollars. Second, reduce income tax rates for all families and broaden the tax base to encourage long-term growth. Third, streamline regulations to reduce cost of living, health care, and utilities.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have worked effectively across the aisle in my first term to pass good legislation for students and seniors and stop legislation that would hurt our community. Most importantly, I have laid out specific and substantive plans and ideas to improve our economy, lower the cost of living, improve health care access, take illegal guns off the street and reduce shootings and car thefts, reform the 8-30g housing law, and protect local control of our towns. My opponent hasn't produced any substantive or detailed plans about any complicated issue. I am running to help govern our great state, because I know that with positive solutions and leadership that we can succeed like never before.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I support keeping abortion legal in Connecticut. Abortion has been legal in Connecticut for many decades and leadership in both parties support keeping it that way. We should maintain high health and safety standards for the procedure always to protect women. That is why I joined 17 of my Democratic colleagues in voting against HB5414 which at least six independent medical organizations testified would lower the standard of care for women. I also introduced legislation last term to expand access to contraception to help women reduce unplanned pregnancies and protect their health. Again, there should be clarity that my Republican colleagues and I support keeping abortion legal in Connecticut.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In my first term, I wrote a bill to examine and reduce the negative effects of cell phones and social media in schools, which was incorporated into a larger bill on mental health and passed. I am actively involved with educational professionals to implement that program currently. I also co-sponsored bipartisan legislation on the environment and public safety and supported important investments. I introduced numerous bills to reduce taxes and cost of living as well as key legislation to reform 8-30g and increase local control that I will continue fighting for next term. Finally, I advocated alongside colleagues for important state investments in Greenwich, Stamford, and New Canaan.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

You cannot know where you're going if you don't know where you came from.