Amid supporters Monday night, Anthony Musto highlighted his service to his district as the reasons for re-election to the state senate.
Musto, a local tax attorney who won the seat in 2008, said all but one of his bills has had bipartisan backing and won approval from the state senate. The convention was held at the .
The incumbent Democrat cited a jobs bill that he hopes to improve in the legislature's next special session by widening it to help more people, including veterans.
"We're building a Connecticut where businesses can feel at home," said Musto, after receiving the unanimous nod from delegates from Bridgeport, Trumbull and Monroe.
He said he is helping several companies in his district involved in green businesses such as solar panels. He also recalled programs he helped or started such as preventing fraudulent foreclosures and helping businesses that get fined.
Red tape is being removed from the business permitting process, and the Siting Council must now deal more closely with communities before voting to erect cell towers, Musto said.
In total, he called for bipartisanship. "It doesn't matter if you have a D or and R after your name," Musto said.
"I need you to tell your friends and neighbors about the work I've done, about my ideas and my focus," Musto said.
His opponent is Trumbull GOP Town Councilman , a real estate agent.
Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch praised Musto, and former Bridgeport Mayor John Fabrizi chaired the meeting.
"It's not an easy district to serve. It's not automatic [re-election]. I'm lucky to have someone like Anthony Musto representing us."
He said Musto has served the entire district, from flood control in Bridgeport's North End, RYASAP in Black Rock (Bridgeport), in Trumbull, a smoke alarm program for Bridgeport, an $11 million grant for Steel Pointe in Bridgeport (to install infrastructure), funding roads in Monroe and helping get Bridgeport's Longfellow School rebuilt.
"You have to serve the whole district," Finch said.
Meanwhile, Democrat Tom Christiano is slated to be tapped to run for the 123rd District state representative seat being vacated by Republican T.R. Rowe. That convention is Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Trumbull Republican has also declared his candidacy for the seat, as has Trumbull resident .
