Campaign Notes: Perillo receives endorsements, Afriyie does interview

The following are press releases shared by 21st Senatorial District candidates, State Rep. Jason Perillo, R-Shelton, and Stratford Town Councilman Tony Afriyie, D. The district represents Shelton and parts of Seymour, Monroe and Stratford.

Connecticut Senate District 21 includes only registered voters who normally vote at District 1 (Fawn Hollow) or District 4 (Masuk).

The special election is scheduled to be held at the former St. Jude School, 707 Monroe Turnpike, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Early voting will be at Monroe Town Hall, 7 Fan Hill Road, on Feb. 20, 21, 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Small business group endorses Perillo in Senate run

State Rep. Jason Perillo, R-Shelton, who is running to succeed state Senator Kevin Kelly in a special election on Feb. 25, has been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

In their endorsement, the NFIB said Perillo, “will be committed to the needs of thousands of Main Street small businesses and their employees in Connecticut.”

Perillo said he was grateful for the endorsement of small business owners, who he said are, “the backbone of our local communities.”

“These are our builders and contractors. They’re our small retailers and restauranteurs. They sponsor the Little League teams and donate to our local fundraisers,” Perillo said. “I’m proud to have their trust and support.”

The Senate seat was vacated by Kevin Kelly, who did not take the oath of office in January. He is poised to be confirmed as a Superior Court judge.

Afriyie applauds proposed investments in Connecticut’s youth

Following the release of Governor Ned Lamont’s proposed budget, Democratic nominee for State Senate Tony Afriyie released the following statement:

“I am excited by Governor Lamont’s commitment to $300 million for a Universal Preschool Endowment, as well as funding for hundreds of new starter jobs through AmeriCorps. As an AmeriCorps alum, I know that those jobs can help kickstart the careers of young people while empowering them to do meaningful work in their community.

“I decided to run for state senate because raising a family in this state should be affordable, and we can help working families by passing a child tax credit, funding universal pre-K, and creating more workforce development programs for jobs like police and fire. These types of smart investments can make a huge difference for young people, and I’ll fight for them in the State Senate.”

Carpenters’ union endorses Perillo

The North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Local 326 endorsed State Rep. Jason Perillo, R-Shelton, in the special election for the 21st Senatorial District seat. The 3,000 union carpenters in Connecticut have a strong history of political activism.

“We support candidates that support us on our issues — prevailing wage, better enforcement against wage theft in the underground economy, strong apprenticeship programs and funding for projects that create good jobs for our union members,” Mike Iacoviello, chairman of the Member’s Political Committee, and Marc Okun, business manager of Local 326, wrote in the endorsement letter.

They noted how Perillo voted for a new residential prevailing wage law and supports the data center in Waterford, which they said will create 1,500 union construction jobs over four years.

“Our members’ political committee believes Representative Perillo will be a strong voice on issues impacting our carpenters and their families within the Republican caucus and on the Senate floor, like his predecessor State Senator Kevin Kelly,” the letter said.

Afriyie does interview

Afriyie, who was endorsed by

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