House of Representatives 143rd District

Patrizia Zucaro Republican

143rd state House District

Westport attorney Patrizia Zucaro is attempting to keep the 143rd state House seat in Republican hands with a campaign that focuses on supporting small businesses, improving transportation and addressing what she sees as Connecticut’s structural fiscal weaknesses: high taxes and debt, excessive spending and unfunded retirement obligations. Reforming the 8-30g affordable housing statute is also on her list as she believes “each municipality should retain authority over zoning decisions.”

Having received the endorsement of the Independent Party of Connecticut, her name will appear on both the Republican and Independent ballot lines on Nov. 3.

Zucaro has experience in general law including real estate and land use, contract negotiations, and corporate law. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and her law degree from Pace University.

Zucaro is being challenged by Democrat Stephanie Thomas of Norwalk. The 143rd district includes parts of Wilton, Westport and Norwalk. Prior to Lavielle’s election in 2010, the seat was held for one term by Democrat Peggy Reeves of Wilton, who was elected in 2008. The district was represented by Republican Toni Boucher from 1996 until her election to the state Senate in 2008.

Democratic state House candidate Stephanie Thomas received endorsements from two reproductive health organizations and a state teachers’ union.

The American Federation of Teachers, Planned Parenthood and NARAL Connecticut all endorsed Thomas to represent the 143rd District which includes parts of Wilton, Norwalk and Westport, according to a campaign news release.

AFT Connecticut represents over 30,000 workers in the public and private sectors including teachers, school related personnel including paraprofessionals, state employees, health care workers, and higher education faculty and staff. NARAL Connecticut is the leading grassroots prochoice advocacy organization in Connecticut. Planned Parenthood is the largest single provider of reproductive health services in the nation.

State Rep. Gail Lavielle, who is vacating the district seat, received a Planned Parenthood endorsement in 2018. This is the second time Thomas has been backed by NARAL.

On receiving NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut’s endorsement, Thomas said, “My commitment to reproductive justice — including a woman’s right to choose — is unwavering, long-held, and more important than ever. I will fight to ensure that reproductive rights and services are accessible to ALL Connecticut women, and challenge the groups that harass and threaten patients and providers, courts that are seeking to undermine Roe v. Wade, and insurance companies and employers that seek to restrict health care services.”