Lavielle gets Citizen’s Election Program funding approval

WILTON, Conn – State Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-143), who is running for re-election to the state House of Representatives, has received approval from the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission to take part in the Citizens’ Election Program (CEP).

The approval came May 29 as part of the first round of approvals announced by the state. Others in Norwalk approved in the first round were Republican state rep candidate Emily Wilson in the 142^nd District and state Sen. Bob Duff (D-25).

To qualify for CEP campaign funding, candidates for the State House of Representatives must raise at least $5,000 in contributions of $100 or less, including individual contributions from at least 150 residents of the towns they are seeking to represent. State representative candidates belonging to a major party qualify for $27,850 in CEP funds.

The 143^rd District comprises parts of Norwalk, Wilton and Westport.

“I want to thank the residents of Wilton, Norwalk, and Westport for their confidence and their enthusiastic support,” said Lavielle in a press release. “Because they made it possible for me to finish fundraising so quickly, I will be able to focus in the coming months on listening to my constituents and discussing the issues most important to them, like reducing taxes, helping small businesses grow and create jobs, making a quality education accessible to students at all levels, providing essential services to the truly needy, improving transportation, and protecting open space and local plans of conservation and development.

“A recent Gallup poll found that half of Connecticut residents want to exit the state, and many people in our district are echoing that sentiment,” Lavielle continued. “They’ve had enough of policies that have left Connecticut with looming billion-dollar deficits and an economy that trails the rest of the country in recovering from the recession. They want a state government that acknowledges the gravity of Connecticut’s problems, that takes fiscal responsibility seriously, and that welcomes bipartisan input and collaboration. The outpouring of support for my campaign has made me even more determined to keep fighting for the kind of government and policies we need to make life in Connecticut more affordable, reduce the costs of doing business, get people back to work, and strengthen our schools and infrastructure, so that people of all ages can look forward to a future in our beautiful state.”