David Cappiello
Encyclopedia
David J. Cappiello is a businessman and former State Senator
representing Connecticut
’s 24th Senate District, which includes the communities of Danbury
, New Fairfield
, Sherman
, and part of Bethel
. In the Senate, he served as Deputy Minority Leader and Ranking Member of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee.
. He is a second-generation American, with his grandparents having migrated to the United States
from Italy
and Lebanon
. In 1964, Cappiello’s father started Cappiello Jewelers, which remains to this day a family owned business on Main Street in Danbury. Senator Cappiello frequently cites his small business background as a major force in his political philosophy.
Cappiello is a graduate of Immaculate High School and attended Western Connecticut State University
, both in Danbury. He was married in 2002 to Christine Ciarleglio, and the couple resides in Danbury with their two sons Jack Reagan and Jude Francis.
He is currently a mortgage loan officer for Flagstar Bank in Danbury.
In 1994, he won election to the Connecticut House of Representatives
in a contest for the 138th District seat being vacated by Republican Mark Nielsen
, who was running for the State Senate. He was easily re-elected to the State House in 1996.
In 1998, Cappiello announced he was vacating his seat in the Connecticut House to run for the State Senate in the 24th District, where Mark Nielsen
was retiring to challenge freshman Congressman James H. Maloney
. He defeated Democrat Paul Estefan in a landslide, 62.24% to 37.76%, and was re-elected in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006.
In the legislature, Cappiello’s priorities included open space and environmental preservation, support for non-profit service providers, public safety, and health care reform. His legislative accomplishments include the state preservation of 130 acre (0.5260918 km²) of open space land at the Bogus Farm in Bethel, a comprehensive legislative review of the State’s Homeland Security
preparedness, and a law that requires all newborn babies be screened for life-threatening metabolic disorders. He also led the successful effort in 2008 to thwart a scheduled increase in the state’s gas tax. In 2006, Cappiello was honored by the AARP
for his leadership in preserving prescription drug coverage for thousands of Connecticut senior citizens.
A strong fiscal conservative, Cappiello was tapped in 2005 to serve as the ranking Republican member of the General Assembly
’s Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for writing the state’s biennial budget.
He is a fierce proponent of the state’s spending cap and a vocal critic of Connecticut's high tax burden, and has voted in opposition to four state budgets due to tax and spending increases. As ranking member of the budget panel, Cappiello was instrumental in the successful Republican effort of 2007 to pass a "no tax increase" budget, despite initial opposition from legislative Democrats.
Cappiello is heavily involved in many civic and cultural organizations, including the Danbury Lebanon American Club, Amerigo Vespucci Lodge, Danbury Lions Club, Danbury Land Trust, American Red Cross of Western Connecticut, Portuguese Cultural Center, and St. Anthony’s Maronite Church.
to challenge Democratic
U.S. Representative Chris Murphy
.
On May 10, 2008, Cappiello was officially chosen as the Republican nominee at the Fifth District nominating convention in Southbury
.
Cappiello’s candidacy drew the attention of the National Republican Congressional Committee
and political observers.
The Washington Post
’s political blogger Chris Cillizza named Cappiello one of the “Top 2008 Recruits”, and in October 2007, Cappiello was included in the NRCC’s Challengers Helping Obtain the Majority Program (CHOMP) to help raise funds for select candidates challenging incumbent Democratic members of Congress.
On June 9, 2008, Cappiello announced his campaign had raised over $1,000,000 for his challenge to Murphy.
During the campaign, Cappiello focused on economic issues, both in his own policy statements and in his criticisms of his opponent’s record. He supported eliminating earmarks from the federal budget and extending the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts
Cappiello criticized Murphy on both accounts, pointing to Murphy’s failure to support a Congressional earmark moratorium despite claims during his 2006 campaign that he’d support ending the practice.
Cappiello supported lifting the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, increased construction of nuclear power
plants, and reform of the oil futures market in addition to conservation and renewable energy measures, calling American reliance on foreign oil “a matter of personal, economic, and national security.”.
On Election Day, Cappiello was defeated by the incumbent Murphy.
Connecticut Senate
The Connecticut State Senate is the upper house of the Connecticut General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The state senate comprises 36 members, each representing a district with around 94,600 inhabitants. Senators are elected to two-year terms without term limits...
representing Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
’s 24th Senate District, which includes the communities of Danbury
Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury is a city in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It had population at the 2010 census of 80,893. Danbury is the fourth largest city in Fairfield County and is the seventh largest city in Connecticut....
, New Fairfield
New Fairfield, Connecticut
New Fairfield is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,881 at the 2010 census. The town is considered part of the greater New York Metropolitan Area and lies approximately from New York City...
, Sherman
Sherman, Connecticut
Sherman is the northernmost and least populous town of Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,581 at the 2010 census. The town is named for New Haven's Founding Father, Roger Sherman....
, and part of Bethel
Bethel, Connecticut
Bethel is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, about sixty miles from New York City. Its population was 18,584 at the 2010 census. The town center is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place...
. In the Senate, he served as Deputy Minority Leader and Ranking Member of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee.
Early life, education, and family
Cappiello is a lifelong resident of the city of Danbury, ConnecticutDanbury, Connecticut
Danbury is a city in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It had population at the 2010 census of 80,893. Danbury is the fourth largest city in Fairfield County and is the seventh largest city in Connecticut....
. He is a second-generation American, with his grandparents having migrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. In 1964, Cappiello’s father started Cappiello Jewelers, which remains to this day a family owned business on Main Street in Danbury. Senator Cappiello frequently cites his small business background as a major force in his political philosophy.
Cappiello is a graduate of Immaculate High School and attended Western Connecticut State University
Western Connecticut State University
Western Connecticut State University is a public university in Danbury, Connecticut. Founded in 1903, WestConn has an arts and sciences curriculum, a business school, and several professional programs including elementary and secondary education, nursing, music performance, and social work...
, both in Danbury. He was married in 2002 to Christine Ciarleglio, and the couple resides in Danbury with their two sons Jack Reagan and Jude Francis.
He is currently a mortgage loan officer for Flagstar Bank in Danbury.
Political career and community involvement
Cappiello’s political career began in 1993 when at the age of 25, he was elected to the Danbury Common Council.In 1994, he won election to the Connecticut House of Representatives
Connecticut House of Representatives
The Connecticut House of Representatives is the lower house in the Connecticut General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The house is composed of 151 members representing an equal number of districts, with each constituency containing nearly 22,600 residents...
in a contest for the 138th District seat being vacated by Republican Mark Nielsen
Mark Nielsen
Mark Nielsen was a Connecticut state senator during the 1990s and later served as legal counsel and chief of staff to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney...
, who was running for the State Senate. He was easily re-elected to the State House in 1996.
In 1998, Cappiello announced he was vacating his seat in the Connecticut House to run for the State Senate in the 24th District, where Mark Nielsen
Mark Nielsen
Mark Nielsen was a Connecticut state senator during the 1990s and later served as legal counsel and chief of staff to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney...
was retiring to challenge freshman Congressman James H. Maloney
James H. Maloney
James H. "Jim" Maloney is a former Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut.Maloney was born in Quincy, Massachusetts. He was a Volunteers in Service to America volunteer from 1969 until 1970. He graduated from Harvard University in 1972 and received a law degree...
. He defeated Democrat Paul Estefan in a landslide, 62.24% to 37.76%, and was re-elected in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006.
In the legislature, Cappiello’s priorities included open space and environmental preservation, support for non-profit service providers, public safety, and health care reform. His legislative accomplishments include the state preservation of 130 acre (0.5260918 km²) of open space land at the Bogus Farm in Bethel, a comprehensive legislative review of the State’s Homeland Security
Homeland security
Homeland security is an umbrella term for security efforts to protect states against terrorist activity. Specifically, is a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the U.S., reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do...
preparedness, and a law that requires all newborn babies be screened for life-threatening metabolic disorders. He also led the successful effort in 2008 to thwart a scheduled increase in the state’s gas tax. In 2006, Cappiello was honored by the AARP
AARP
AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is the United States-based non-governmental organization and interest group, founded in 1958 by Ethel Percy Andrus, PhD, a retired educator from California, and based in Washington, D.C. According to its mission statement, it is "a...
for his leadership in preserving prescription drug coverage for thousands of Connecticut senior citizens.
A strong fiscal conservative, Cappiello was tapped in 2005 to serve as the ranking Republican member of the General Assembly
Connecticut General Assembly
The Connecticut General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is a bicameral body composed of the 151-member House of Representatives and the 36-member Senate. It meets in the state capital, Hartford. There are no term limits for either chamber.During...
’s Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for writing the state’s biennial budget.
He is a fierce proponent of the state’s spending cap and a vocal critic of Connecticut's high tax burden, and has voted in opposition to four state budgets due to tax and spending increases. As ranking member of the budget panel, Cappiello was instrumental in the successful Republican effort of 2007 to pass a "no tax increase" budget, despite initial opposition from legislative Democrats.
Cappiello is heavily involved in many civic and cultural organizations, including the Danbury Lebanon American Club, Amerigo Vespucci Lodge, Danbury Lions Club, Danbury Land Trust, American Red Cross of Western Connecticut, Portuguese Cultural Center, and St. Anthony’s Maronite Church.
2008 Congressional race
On April 18, 2008, David Cappiello filed a campaign committee with the Federal Election CommissionFederal Election Commission
The Federal Election Commission is an independent regulatory agency that was founded in 1975 by the United States Congress to regulate the campaign finance legislation in the United States. It was created in a provision of the 1975 amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Act...
to challenge Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
U.S. Representative Chris Murphy
Chris Murphy (politician)
Christopher Scott "Chris" Murphy is the U. S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party.Murphy previously served in the Connecticut House of Representatives and the Connecticut Senate....
.
On May 10, 2008, Cappiello was officially chosen as the Republican nominee at the Fifth District nominating convention in Southbury
Southbury, Connecticut
Southbury is a town located in western New Haven County, Connecticut, USA. Southbury is located north of Oxford and Newtown; it also is east of Brookfield. Southbury's population was 18,567 at the 2000 census....
.
Cappiello’s candidacy drew the attention of the National Republican Congressional Committee
National Republican Congressional Committee
The National Republican Congressional Committee is the Republican Hill committee which works to elect Republicans to the United States House of Representatives....
and political observers.
The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
’s political blogger Chris Cillizza named Cappiello one of the “Top 2008 Recruits”, and in October 2007, Cappiello was included in the NRCC’s Challengers Helping Obtain the Majority Program (CHOMP) to help raise funds for select candidates challenging incumbent Democratic members of Congress.
On June 9, 2008, Cappiello announced his campaign had raised over $1,000,000 for his challenge to Murphy.
During the campaign, Cappiello focused on economic issues, both in his own policy statements and in his criticisms of his opponent’s record. He supported eliminating earmarks from the federal budget and extending the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts
Cappiello criticized Murphy on both accounts, pointing to Murphy’s failure to support a Congressional earmark moratorium despite claims during his 2006 campaign that he’d support ending the practice.
Cappiello supported lifting the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, increased construction of nuclear power
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
plants, and reform of the oil futures market in addition to conservation and renewable energy measures, calling American reliance on foreign oil “a matter of personal, economic, and national security.”.
On Election Day, Cappiello was defeated by the incumbent Murphy.
See also
- Connecticut's 5th congressional districtConnecticut's 5th congressional districtConnecticut's 5th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in the northwestern part of the state, the district runs from...
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2008
External links
- State Senator David Cappiello, Official CT State Senate Website
- Committee To Elect David Cappiello For Congress Official Campaign Website