Labriola seeking sixth term in 131st

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Republican David Labriola received a unanimous nomination to run for reelection in the state House of Representatives’ 131st District. -CONTRIBUTED

For the past 10 years, Republican David Labriola has carried on a family legacy of public service as state representative in the 131st District. He’s seeking to make it a dozen years.

Last month, Labriola was unanimously endorsed for a sixth term in office representing the 131st District, which covers Oxford and portions of Naugatuck and Southbury, at a meeting at Oxford Town Hall.

“It is the greatest privilege of my life to serve as state representative,” Labriola said. “It’s an honor that I take very seriously, and I will work to return the trust placed in me with the nomination by working as hard as I can everyday.”

Labriola was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2002, following in the footsteps of his father, Gerald, who served as a state senator.

Labriola said his parents instilled a sense of public service in him at a young age, and he would like to continue his service in Hartford. He said the trademark of his 10 years in office has been constituent service.

“The hallmark of my work has been constituent service,” Labriola said. “I enjoy assisting my constituents in cutting through the bureaucratic red tape in state government.”

Naugatuck Republican Town Committee Chair Dorothy Hoff described Labriola as someone who grew up around politics and serving the public. She said Labriola is someone she feels comfortable calling at any time and is a representative that is very responsive to the public.

Currently, Labriola serves on the General Assembly’s Transportation, Government Administration and Elections, and Judiciary committees. He has served on the Judiciary Committee his entire time in office and his work on the committee is one he wants to continue.

“I will work towards punishing severely the most violent criminals, utilizing alternative incarceration for the non-violent criminals who have substance abuse and alcohol issues,” he said.

As the race stands now, it is clear sailing to a sixth term for Labriola. Democrats didn’t endorse a candidate to run against Labriola.

Naugatuck Democratic Town Committee Chair M. Leonard Caine said Democrats sought interested candidates, but no one stepped forward.

A challenger can still petition to get on the ballot and run against Labriola.

Labriola is a Naugatuck native, who now calls Oxford home. He graduated from Naugatuck High School in 1978. After high school, Labriola went on to graduate from Yale University and earn a law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He practices law with his brother, Gerald Labriola, Jr., out of the law firm Labriola and Labriola, LLC in Naugatuck.

Along with constituent service and his work on the Judiciary Committee, Labriola emphasized he will continue to take a fiscally conservative approach — one the people of the 131st District demand of him — in Hartford.

“Certainly, the 131st District that I represent demands that I adopt a fiscally conservative approach to the state budget, which I will continue to do to hold the line on the budget and taxes,” Labriola said.