Rutigliano Wins the 123rd

Restarauter David Rutigliano defeated challenger Tom Christiano for T.R. Rowe's former seat.

"Hard work pays off. We knocked on a ton of doors. We have a pretty good idea of what [constituents] are looking for," Rutigliano said at the Republican gathering at Marisa's Ristorante.

"He did very well," said Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst.

Christiano was gracious to his opponent.

"I lost to a good man. I'm sure Trumbull be served well with him," the democrat said.

Rutigliano, a chef and part owner of the SBC restaurant chain, has said he would streamline the hiring process and make Connecticut more business friendly.

He also wants to eliminate the state deficit and reduce spending and the size of government. He serves on the Trumbull Board of Finance.

Candidate

Challenger Louis Bevilacqua, a Democrat who recently turned Republican, thanked the district's voters.

"I would like to thank the people for the opportunity to stand as their candidate, the campaign itself was a win for competent democracy.  The largest block of voters in Connecticut with 800,000 persons are people who have turned their backs on either party faction. It's in their hands now," he said.