MONROE, CT — The Monroe Sun interviewed both candidates running for the open 21st Senatorial District seat in a special election to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25. This is the last of a series of articles featuring a question and their answers.
State Rep. Jason Perillo, R-Shelton, is running against Stratford Town Councilman Tony Afriyie, a Democrat. The district includes Shelton and parts of Seymour, Monroe and Stratford.
Now that early voting has ended, registered voters in districts 1 (Fawn Hollow) and 4 (Masuk) will vote in the gym of the former St. Jude School, 707 Monroe Turnpike, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. this Tuesday (Feb. 25).
What should the voters know about you?
Perillo: I’ve got years of experience and the relationships that go with it. This played a role in the success of the Derby-Shelton Bridge project, a bipartisan effort benefitting from a grant. When we bring people together, good things happen.
My career in health care has really helped drive issues beneficial to seniors and I’m a husband, I’m a dad with an 11-year-old daughter, and my father is getting older, so I share the same experiences as most folks in the district.
Perillo and his wife, Becky, have a daughter, Lydia.
Afriyie: As a first-generation American raised in Stratford, I embody the values of hard work and perseverance instilled by my immigrant parents from Ghana.
A Town Councilor and former AmeriCorps NCCC member, I have worked with congressional leaders and organizations like the National Guard and Red Cross, gaining valuable experience in crisis management and legislative affairs.
Holding degrees in political science and public administration, I am committed to policies that support education funding, housing affordability, public safety and environmental protection.
My campaign focuses on bringing a fresh perspective from a new generation, making government work for the people and ensuring that every family in Connecticut has the opportunity to thrive.
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