Carlo Leone

From 2003 to 2011, Leone served in the Connecticut House Of Representatives representing the 148th District, which encompasses a small portion of Stamford. While in the House, as a Democrat, Leone served as the Deputy Majority Whip of the House.[6] While in the House, Leone also served as the Vice Chair of the Regulations Review committee.[7]

On February 23, 2011, Leone won a special election for State Senate in the 27th District against Republican Bob Kolenberg, the election was held to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Andrew J. McDonald, who left the Senate to serve as Governor Dan Malloy's chief legal counsel.[8] Leone won the 2012,[9][10] 2014,[11] 2016,[12] and 2018[13] elections and won re-election for the 5th time in the 2020 election.[14] Winning by 9,865 votes over Republican Eva Maldonado, who also ran against Leone in the 2014 election.[15] Leone formerly served as Chairman of the Transportation Committee and Vice Chairman of both the General Law Committee and the Finance, Revenue, and Boarding Committee in the General Assembly.[2] Leone also served as the Deputy President pro tempore of the Senate and Chairman of the Veterans Affairs committee.[16]

In 2013, Leone and State Representative William Tong co-authored a bill to help preserve homeowners rights during the Foreclosure process.[17] In 2018, Leone was one of 6 members of the General Law Committee to vote in support of Marijuana legalization. The bill ultimately failed to make it to the General Assembly as it was struck down in a 6-11 vote.[18] In November 2019, following a report that stated that the Connecticut Port Authority was misspending several thousands of dollars on expensive meals and Liquor. Leone assured that the State Senate would work to prevent the financial missteps of the Port Authority, stating:“The report is incredibly alarming and illustrates the improper manner in which the Connecticut Port Authority was operating, As co-chair of the Transportation Committee, I am committed to correcting what has transpired with the port authority and ensuring it functions in the way as intended by the General Assembly and properly protects and invests in the ports and waterways of Connecticut.”[19] Leone was one of 21 Democrats to vote for a police reform bill in July 2020. And later stated that he hoped that similar bills would pass in the regular session in January 2021.[20] When Hurricane Isaias hit Connecticut in August 2020, hundreds of thousands of residents were left without power for several days.[21] Eversource, which supplies most of Connecticut with electricity, was highly criticized for their slow response to the storm damage.[22] After this, the Connecticut State Senate passed a bill in a 35-0 vote that would hold utility companies such as Eversource to tougher standards. Leone was one of many state senators who spoke out in support of the bill, syaing:“We’re not here by choice, We’re here because our constituents demanded us to act.”[23]

In January 2019, President pro tempore Martin Looney drafted a bill that would towns with a population of below 40,000 full time residents to consolidate and regionalize their school districts with neighboring towns. The bill caused community outrage all across the state.[24] In response, Leone claimed that people shouldn't rush to conclusions in a statement given to the Darien Times, saying: "At the beginning of each session, many ideas are floated — as is being reported daily by media outlets, and not every bill raised is passed as law. The bill referenced is a proposal regarding regionalization to provide effective services in a fiscally responsible manner. Although it is speaking to schools, the talking points of regionalization for services can easily be the same for other services in order to better deliver what can be afforded by the state for each municipality. This bill is only a starting point to have serious discussions, and is far off from anything conclusive. The debate needs to be had to flush out any merits to the concept. Importantly, initial language can easily change along the process, and therefore it is prudent to not rush to any judgments until, and if, a final draft becomes available."[25] Leone has also spoken out in support of consolidating Connecticut Community colleges. Saying: "If the state doesn’t subsidize it, that means the only way for the schools to continue to operate is to raise tuition, and that defeats the whole purpose of making it affordable. If you can get rid of the higher administrative costs and throw all those monies to the students, that would be the best scenario."[26]

While Chairman of the Transportation Committee, Leone extensively worked on pedestrian safety. In 2019, Leone wrote a bill that would impose 20$ fines on pedestrians for what he referred to as "distracted walking" or using a cellphone while walking on a street. Although the bill became controversial, Leone maintained his opinion, stating: “I think we have to put some ownership on pedestrians. They need to know the rules of the road as well as drivers. I’m all for increasing pedestrian safety but both parties need to participate in whatever the solutions are."[27] Leone also was a prominent supporter of truck tolls, claiming that tolls would raise funds to improve Connecticut's roads.[28] The bill faced scrutiny from many prominent Republicans.[29] Leone reasserted his claims, citing that the state transportation fund is set to be completely depleted by 2024. And reasserted that there is a risk of major transportation projects being canceled as a result of the waning transportation funds.[30] In December 2020, Governor Ned Lamont announced that he would move to raise the Gasoline Tax.[31] In response, Leone spoke out in support, saying: "The General Assembly is going to have a say on this, and we’ll have to figure out what the reality and what perceived savings are. We could raise up to $70 million to reinvest into transportation.”[32]

On December 31, 2020, it was announced that Leone would be leaving the State Senate in order to take a leadership position in Governor Ned Lamont's administration as a special adviser to state Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti.[33] Leone resigned from the Senate on January 5, 2021.[34][35][36][37] In his final statement, he said:"I have been blessed to have had the opportunity of a lifetime to serve in both the House and Senate, and it has been a true honor to serve my constituents, city and state,”.[38] A Special election in order to replace Leone will take place on March 2.[39][40] It was announced that State Representative Patricia Billie Miller will run in the Special election to replace Leone.[41][42]

On January 5, 2021, Leone began serving as the senior adviser to ConnDOT commissioner Joseph Giulietti.[43]

Leone won re-election to a sixth term after defeating Republican challenger Eva Maldonado.[45] This was the 2nd time that Maldonado had campaigned against Leone. The other time being in 2014.

Carlo Leone won re-election to a fifth term after defeating Republican challenger Jerry Bosak.

Carlo Leone won re-election to a fourth term after defeating Republican challenger Gino Bottino as well as Green Party candidate Cora Santaguida.

Carlo Leone won re-election to a third term after defeating Republican challenger Eva Maldonado. Green Party candidate David Michel also ran,collecting 357 votes.

Carlo Leone won re-election to a 2nd term after defeating Republican challenger Barry Michelson. Green Party candidate Ronald W. Sala also ran in the election, receiving 497 votes.

After Incumbent Democrat Andrew J. McDonald resigned to take a position in newly-elected Governor Dan Malloy's administration. The 27th Senate seat became vacant. Leone won a special election against Republican Bob Kolenberg. The election was held on February 22, 2011.