CT Patch Candidate Profile: Tina Courpas For State Representative

Candidate’s Name

Tina Courpas

What office are you seeking?

State Representative

District

149th House District
Campaign website

What city or town do you live in?

Greenwich

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

Princeton University, A.B.; Columbia Law School, J.D.

Occupation

Attorney and Investment Banker. Practiced corporate law and investment banking for over 20 years. Then ran two non-profit organizations.

Family

I have four children, ages 14-22, whom I raised in this community that we love. My oldest (son) graduated from college and is working. My two daughters are both in college. And my youngest (son) is in 9th grade.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

I am not a politician, but I have a long record of public service. I ran two non-profits, including the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women in CT, a bipartisan non-profit with a 50 year legacy of advocating for women 's rights in CT. I was on the Executive Committee of the CT Collective for Women and Girls, and served on the Connecticut Governor's Council on Women and Girls. I also ran The Hellenic Initiative, the largest Greek Diaspora organization in the world which raised money to invest in Greece's economic recovery. I have served on the Princeton Women's Initiative, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs Advisory Board, and the Board of St. Pauls' School for Girls. I volunteered at Domus Kids, a nonprofit in Stamford which supports underserved kids to complete their K-12 education. I am a long time volunteer in local political campaigns.

Age

58

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running because I am concerned about the direction our state is heading and believe we need to change course now. I am most concerned about the imbalance in our government. We are three seats away from one party (Democrat) controlling 70% of the Legislature. This is what exists in NY and CA. This lacks balance, diversity of opinion and tends to the extreme. If this happens, the checks and balances of a reasonable moderate Governor like Lamont will be gone. 2) Crime. Car thefts were up 33% statewide in 2023. This is largely due to failed policies which don’t allow the police to do their jobs; 3) Local control of zoning. State government is permitting developers to build high rises in Greenwich, regardless of the impact on our community. 4) CT’s finances. CT has the 2nd highest state and local tax burden and the 2nd highest electric costs in the US. This is due to chronic overspending (taxes) and poor leadership on energy issues (electric costs). My opponent has taken us farther in each of these troubling directions. We need a change of leadership in this District.

What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?

Affordability - 1) high taxes and 2) high electric bills. First, we have the 2nd highest state/local taxes in the US because of government overspending. In 2017, we began to make progress by passing the "Fiscal Guardrails." These were a series of caps which forced the government to control spending, pay down debt, etc. The Guardrails had started to work. But, unfortunately, instead of staying firm on the guardrails, the Legislature (including my opponent) took a vote in May 2024 to overspend once again, reversing the progress that had been made. I disagree. We need to stop overspending to lower taxes. I would also focus on private sector growth. We have a bloated public sector. In the past year, 90% of job growth came from government jobs or government funded jobs. And pay in the public sector grew 33% in the past 6 years, while pay in the private sector grew 23%. The government keeps growing itself and increasing its own pay

We need to become a pro-business state, cut red tape and create tax incentives for businesses to come to CT. Second, on electric bills, we need better leadership. My opponent voted to allocate Federal COVID relief aid away from solving the problem of Public Benefits charges that are hitting all of our electric bills. And then refused to call a Special Session which could have fixed the problem this summer. I disagree. CT also needs a long term energy strategy which incorporates all forms of cheaper, cleaner and greener energy to reduce our electric bills long term. CT simply needs to be more affordable for young families, seniors and all of us.

The Legislature has prevented the police from doing their jobs. That's why CT's roads are the most dangerous they have ever been. I have been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, Police Organization of CT, and Stamford Police. Two policy fixes would help.

1) The Police Accountability Bill of 2020 removed the "consent search," which allowed police to pull someone over whom they reasonably believe is carrying illegal guns or drugs, and search the car with the person's consent. This important tool took many illegal guns and drugs off the streets. Legislation to restore it was proposed and my opponent voted against restoring it.

2) The police are prohibited from pulling someone over who is visibly smoking cannabis behind the wheel of a car. That police practice should also be restored and is simple common sense. My opponent voted against restoring it. Lack of common sense laws are directly impacting our road safety in CT. I would stand strong on these issues. My opponent's votes continue to tip the balance the wrong way.

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

My opponent says one thing on the campaign trail - and then votes a different way in Hartford. THE VOTES ARE THE VOTES. My opponent is not my enemy - but here are the issues.

1) FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. I support fiscal discipline. My opponent's votes do not. She voted for the "Stabilization Bill" of 2024, which overspent by $370 million. I would have adhered to CT's Fiscal Guardrails.

2) DEVELOPER OVERBUILDING IN GREENWICH. I stand strong for local control of zoning to stop overbuilding in Greenwich. My opponent's votes do not. She supported HB 5390, erodingTowns' control over local zoning decisions and encouraging overbuilding.

3) PUBLIC SAFETY. I support reasonable policing. My opponent's votes do not. She voted AGAINST restoring the consent search and AGAINST allowing police to pull over a driver whom they see visibly smoking cannabis behind the wheel of a car (above).

4) MISLEADING VOTERS. My opponent's statements mislead voters (in this Patch profile and elsewhere) about me. I stand strong to keep abortion legal in CT and have never wavered on this stance. My opponent cites the "Freedom of Reproduction Act" by name only (not the substance of that bill) and says I oppose it. This misleads voters. That 2022 Bill (she supports) was about allowing midwives to give surgical abortions. There is not full consensus in the medical community on whether that is safe for women. Until there is, I do not support that practice. But, instead of defending her position substantively, she cites the bill name only which creates a false impression about my stance on abortion. I support keeping abortion legal and safe for women in CT and have never deviated from that position. 5) EXTREME BILLS. My opponent claims to be a moderate, but voted to advance 2 Bills making voting mandatory in CT. That is an extreme idea. I do not agree with it.

5) BIPARTISAN. I have a substantial record of bipartisan work in the CT legislature, as the Executive Director of a bipartisan women's nonprofit with a 50-year track record. By contrast, my opponent voted with her party 98% of the time. My opponent says one thing on the campaign trail, but her record is very different. THE VOTES ARE THE VOTES.

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

Legal and Financial expertise: I practiced corporate law and investment banking for over 2 decades. I have a substantial legal background to read, analyze and write legislation. I have the financial skills to understand financing, budgets, markets, and the state’s complicated fiscal issues.

Fiscal Responsibility: I ran two non-profits and was responsible for deploying donors’ money to a common vision. Legislators also deploy other people’s money – our tax dollars. I will take this awesome responsibility very seriously.

Bipartisanship: I ran a bipartisan non-profit which advocated for women and girls’ rights in CT. It had a 50-year legacy and reputation for doing so. Under my leadership, we produced a research study on the economic impact of COVID19 on CTs women. It was a massive and successful bipartisan effort, involving over 1,000 women statewide, legislators from both sides of the aisle, the Governor's office and business leaders. It was used to inform government policy after COVID. BIpartisanship has always been my approach.

Balance and Relationships: Forming relationships is key to being effective in any work. Personal attacks in politics are not effective . Debate should stay focused on the issues. I have succeeded in the private sector by working with others to find common solutions. I have succeeded as a manager (running two non-profits) by listening, balancing, and leading. This is lost in politics today and needs to come back.

Work ethic: I will work hard in this role.

Empathy: I am the daughter of Greek immigrants and mother of 4 children. I believe growing up with two cultures and raising 4 children has made me open minded and willing to see others’ perspectives.

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

I care deeply about this community and state - it is the best place to live and raise a family. But, its biggest problem is its government. Let's restore balance and common sense and put CT on course so that its best days are ahead.