CT Patch Candidate Profile: Rudy Settimi For State Representative

STAMFORD, CT — Election Day on Nov. 5 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Stamford.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the city and state.

Candidate’s Name: Rudy Settimi

What office are you seeking? House of representatives

District: 147th

Campaign website

What city or town do you live in?

Stamford

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

BA Economics

Occupation

Accounts Receivable

Family

I have a wife of nearly 15yrs named Lauren. I also have a beautiful daughter who is 9yrs old named Addison Settimi.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No one in the family is in politics or the government.

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Never have I held a public office.

Age: 42

Why are you seeking this office?

As a father and a husband I see things occuring in our district and in our community that I feel bees change. I want to focus on improving our schools as they are not up to the level they should be. I want to help our Police in Stamford because the crime is out of the control. I have personally been hurt by crime when my wife's car was robbed in our driveway. Lastly I want to help to rid everyone's electric bills of the awful public benefit fees. We are being forced to pay extra on our bills for people who didn't pay their bills since 2020. That is absolutely unfair and people on fixed budgets can't afford it.

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

Our number one issue is the public benefits fee that is currently added to every electric bill. This is issue crosses over party lines and is hurting all CT residents. People on fixed budgets cannot afford to pay extra money every month. The elderly and single parents are struggling and we need to do something about this now.

There have been an alarming number of deaths on Connecticut's roadways. Is there anything from a legislative standpoint that can be done to address that?

We need to fix our infrastructure and repair our roads. We also need more police patrolling the roads and helping to control traffic.

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

While the other candidate has more experience than me in this position I have real life experience. As a father and husband I have a unique perspective on the challenges the middle class family faces today. My opponent is single and childless and therefore he doesn't understand the struggles families face right now. I am working tirelessly everyday to keep a roof over my family's head and food on the table.

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

I have worked for years with different people from different backgrounds. I know how to talk to the public and hear their concerns. I can understand what people are going through because I am one of them.

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

I am not a politician and never have been. I don't aspire to be a career politian. I want to help the good people of my district in my community. They deserve better than what they currently have. A person who we never see in the community and shows up only during election time. I am here in the community everyday living just like everyone else. I am one of the people a normal middle class man trying to raise a small child and live a normal life. My opponent doesn't share my sense of duty to the community and he seeks releection for selfish resons. He wants this position because he hopes it's a stepping stone to a future position. The people deserve better than that. They deserve to have their voices heard and represented in Hartford. It's not my voice I wish to bring to Hartford but our voice.