Patch Candidate Profile: Anthony R. Camposano, East Haven Mayor

EAST HAVEN, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in East Haven and there are plenty of local races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

East Haven Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Unaffiliated candidate Anthony R. Camposano is running for Mayor of East Haven.

Education.

Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

What is your occupation?

Project Manager for a residential remodeling construction company

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I have a 4 year old son and two stepsons ages 16 and 19 with my girlfriend of 13 years.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am running because I can’t trust the other candidates to do what needs to be done to protect our Town’s future. The people have no trust in our elected officials and if we continue to elect these same politicians year after year, things will never change. I was born and raised in East Haven and I’m not going to sit back and let these political puppets destroy our Town.

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

The biggest, most transformative issue that we have ever faced in East Haven is the City of New Haven’s plan to relocate the entire Tweed Airport into East Haven’s wetlands. New Haven pulled out of a decade long agreement with East Haven so it could hand control of the airport over to Goldman Sachs. They have privatized our public airport with no local oversight. They plan on filling in our wetlands to build the terminal, parking garage and new entrance to the airport near Calabro Cheese. Also, East Haven will not get any tax revenue from this deal. The only thing East Haveners will get is more traffic, more flooding, more noise, and a lower quality of life. Why are our representatives so quiet on this issue?

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

I am not a politician. I don’t want to be a politician. I would not have to run against them if they had just done their job. I’m here to set things right, not to start a career in politics.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

His suspiciously weak leadership and lack of action in defending East Haven combined with the lack of transparency in the Town's spending.

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

There are limited resources for teens and young adults and an overall lack of community. Any resource used for the community is getting taken away. Such as the Skate Park that was torn down under a false narrative, the pool that was never restored, and counseling services that were outsourced.

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

Running this campaign without the resources and money that the other candidates depend on is a great example. I can do what needs to get done efficiently, on a limited budget.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Do what is right, not what is easy.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am an unaffiliated candidate and I don’t owe any favors to a political party. I will be an Advocate for our residents and do what needs to be done to protect our Town and steer us towards a better path.