CT Patch Candidate Profile: David Rutigliano For State Representative

TRUMBULL, CT — Election Day on Nov. 5, 2024, is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Connecticut.

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

David Rutigliano, 59, a Republican who is also endorsed by the Independent Party, is running for state representative of the 123rd House District.

What city or town do you live in?

Trumbull.

Education

I'm a graduate of Johnson & Wales University.

Occupation

Restaurateur. I am a classically trained chef. We opened our first restaurant (Southport brewing Co) in 1996 we have since expanded to Local kitchen & Beer Bar, Sitting Duck Tavern, and SBC in Milford. We are a 100% Connecticut company and employ hundreds of people.

Family

Married to my wife Michele, two Sons David 24, Joseph 22 up until recently we had our beloved rescue dog "Brandi Waffles."

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

Trumbull Board of Finance, Trumbull Economic Development Commission, Current State Representative.

Why are you seeking this office?

I’m running for state representative because I believe our community deserves strong, principled leadership that listens and takes action. For too long, the needs of many of our residents have been overlooked by the one party / one size fits all in policies from Hartford, and I am committed to being a voice for the working families of Trumbull. Trumbull, and by extension Connecticut is my home. It is where I was born, raised a family and started a business. I believe CT can and should do better. I understand the challenges we face—from improving our local economy to ensuring that our schools and zoning decisions remain under local control. I’ve seen firsthand how issues like rising costs, public safety, and lack of transparency in government affect families, and I’m ready to continue to fight for common sense solutions to all the issues facing us. I am running because I believe I bring a unique perspective and provide balance to our state government—one that focuses on accountability, fiscal responsibility, and common-sense policies that benefit all of us. My record and reputation in Hartford is one of a problem solver, I will work with anyone to find solutions to make the lives of Trumbull families better and to hopefully make Connecticut a land of opportunity. All too often our children have to leave our great state to find opportunity. It should have to be this way.

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

Affordability. We need to lower the tax burden for Trumbull residents. I support a child tax credit, I would fully exempt on social security and pensions from the income tax. Reining in utility companies by expanding our energy portfolio. We need to expand our capacity to generate additional electricity, and increase our supply in natural gas. We should also invest in potential of new technologies such as hydrogen and fuel cells. We should use our tax surplus to ease energy costs. We have proposed multiple times to remove the newly imposed truck tax which directly impacts the costs of goods for all consumers.

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?

In recent years, we’ve seen a disturbing rise in wrong-way driving incidents, as well as an increase in traffic fatalities and speed-related accidents. A key factor contributing to this is impaired driving, particularly in the wake of marijuana commercialization. We need to start by fully staffing our police departments and providing them with the tools, training, and support necessary to effectively do their jobs. Law enforcement is on the front line of ensuring our roads are safe, and they need adequate resources to tackle the growing problem of impaired driving. For decades, we’ve had proven tactics to combat drunk driving, including the widespread use of breathalyzer tests to quickly assess impairment due to alcohol. However, the commercialization of cannabis has created a new challenge—there is no widely adopted and reliable method to test for marijuana impairment at traffic stops. This gap in enforcement is contributing to the rise in dangerous driving behaviors, including wrong-way driving. To address this, we need to invest in developing and implementing clear and effective methods to detect all impaired and reckless drivers. Along with better testing methods, increasing the presence of police officers on our roadways is crucial for enforcing traffic laws, and responding to incidents hopefully preventing tragedies. I supported and passed increase early warning technology detection system on our highways to detect and warn wrong way drivers. Some of this technology is currently being installed in Trumbull and neighboring Stratford.

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

As a father of two sons, I’m deeply invested in the future of Connecticut. I want to ensure that our state is a place where families can thrive, where hard work is rewarded, and where every citizen has a voice. With years of experience in the real economy as a small business owner, I know firsthand the challenges people face every day. I’ve had to make payroll, balance budgets, and navigate the stresses of running a business. I understand the pressure it takes to make a living, and I know what it’s like to build from the ground up. I’m not part of the elite ruling class in Connecticut—I come from a working-class background, and I bring those values with me to Hartford. Right now, Hartford is out of balance. One-party rule has not served Connecticut well. We need diverse voices in our legislature. I represent that balance. By fostering debate and seeking common ground, I believe we can reach solutions that benefit everyone—not just a select few. I’m running to be your voice in Hartford. Together, we can build a future that works for all of us.

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

During my time in office, I’ve been proud to help secure millions of dollars in funding for Trumbull. This includes important projects like the revitalization of Long Hill Green, the construction of a new veterans center, and improvements to Unity Park and Thrushwood lake, to name a few. I’ve also worked on numerous legislative initiatives that have passed into law. Notably, I contributed to the passage of the Firefighter Cancer Bill and helped secure PTSD coverage for our officers and EMTs. These measures ensure that our first responders get the protections and support they deserve. I have also worked on Data privacy and internes safety for children. Additionally, I’ve been a strong advocate for making Connecticut a better place to do business. The current budget surpluses we are experiencing are a direct result of bipartisan work to implement fiscal guardrails, which have been highly successful. These efforts have led to Connecticut’s first-ever tax cut, including the elimination of the state tax on Social Security and pension income, making life more affordable for our seniors. I will continue to fight that social security is tax free for all recipients.

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

I bring a common-sense approach to legislating, and I firmly believe that good ideas are not exclusive to one party. I strive to remain open-minded and avoid being pigeonholed into any one party philosophy. Cooperation and conversation is the key, and I am committed to exploring and supporting solutions that benefit Trumbull and our statenity, regardless of which side of the aisle they come from. My hope is that the people of Trumbull trust my judgment, even when we may not agree on an issue. I want them to know that I always have the best interests of all residents at heart when making decisions. My focus is on building a better future for our community, fostering trust, and working toward common sense solutions that improve the quality of life for everyone.