Julia Barcello
Connecticut State Senator Ryan Fazio is taking his campaign straight to Gen. Z as he highlights housing costs, student debt and jobs in an effort to make Connecticut a more prosperous state.
At a campaign event targeted towards Gen. Z, young adults had the opportunity to speak with Fazio and discuss topics important to them. Students from various organizations across the state attended in support of Fazio. The event was held in Stamford, Monday evening. Following student speakers, Fazio spoke about his campaign and his desire to include the youth while improving Connecticut.
Michael Presti, 18, supports Fazio in hopes to see change in the state. He explained following this election, it may be too late.
“Lamont has been in office for, you know, years. And this is gonna be one of our last chances to get him out before, I feel like, the super majority is going to really take hold.”
Blake Constantino, Founder and President of American Destiny which is a youth focused organization that promotes student civic engagement gave a powerful speech where he expressed a sense of urgency for change in the state. He believes that Gen. Z is capable of making a significant change in the world as the next leaders.
“I’m here to tell you that we, Gen. Z, are choosing to fight. We will not give up on Connecticut. We will not retreat across state borders. We’re not going to be silenced by our peers or professors, by our government or other sensors… We will stand where we are in our towns and cities occupied by a corrupt regime, a unit party in Hartford.”
He continued, “We [Gen. Z] will do whatever it takes over the next 11 months to ensure that we [Fazio] win, and when we do win, it will have been because we chose to win. It will have been because of all of you.”
Presti says he is concerned about the impact of statues like 830-G and Housing Bill 8002. “Low income housing is being proposed for all these little townships and cities. I think that should scare everyone… I really think that’s pandering to the migrant crowd.”
These statutes have been a large focus for Fazio over the past several months and is something he plans to improve while protecting local control.
“By doing small scale developments like accessory dwelling units, residential, in mixed use retail zoned areas. Without giving developers complete free range. There can be a balanced approach where we can protect the natural beauty of Connecticut while also improving housing affordability,” said Fazio.
Fazio says if he wins the election, he will deliver a 1% income tax cut for the middle class in the first term and cut electric rates by 20%, working to make Connecticut more affordable. He further explained, “I ensure that we have a strategy to create jobs and opportunity for all people irrespective of their background.”
He sees the strength in Gen. Z and is working to gain their involvement for his campaign.
“This campaign is going to be about the future and I’ve seen first hand how young people getting involved in politics, on local and state level can make a positive difference so that’s what our campaign is trying to communicate to the entire state tonight.”
Constantino similarly discussed the importance in, as he says, repairing the state and nation. “Connecticut is being killed. We have been told to leave politics up to our elders. But how can they repair the nation? What it is they who let it be torn to the ground. They tell us that we have not yet matured, but we know that our ideas have and because of that, it is now our time.”
