Labriola Calls for Common Sense Approach in 23rd District Run

Barbara Labriola, the Republican candidate for state representative in the 23^rd District, wants to see common sense return to governance.

Treasurer of Old Saybrook for the past five years, Labriola was town clerk in Wallingford for 13 years before moving to Old Saybrook. She said the positions taught her a great deal.

As town clerk in Wallingford’s mayor-council form of government, Labriola also served as clerk of the town council, a role she described as demanding and enlightening. 

“It just made me really open my eyes to a lot of things in government there, so I enjoyed that immensely,” she said. 

She’s been able to compare that form of government with Old Saybrook’s board of selectmen model to expand her understanding of local government. 

A former realtor, she served on the Connecticut Real Estate Commission and was appointed chair of the commission by former Republican Gov. Jodi Rell.

Having been involved in local government for decades, Labriola said she has watched friends become state representatives and senators.

“My goal is to just keep Connecticut affordable,” she said. 

Her husband, Jerry Labriola Jr., served as state Republican Party chairman from 2011–2015 and ran unsuccessfully against state Sen. Martha Marx, D-New London, in 2022. 

Labriola wants to address affordability so young adults, like her four daughters, and older adults can afford to stay in Connecticut, she said. 

Her ideas include reducing taxes. She would also like to eliminate state income taxes on Social Security benefits for all Connecticut residents and proposes a one-year holiday on the gas sales tax.

Labriola also wants to eliminate the public benefits charge on electric bills, which funds state-mandated programs including assistance for customers struggling to pay their bills. She proposed ending some programs or shifting their costs to the state budget, where spending would be considered through the regular budget process.

“We are subsidizing solar and EV stations through these charges,” she said.

Labriola wants to preserve local control over education and zoning, eliminate municipal mandates and prioritize environmental preservation.

“I’m a common sense woman and I’ve worked across the aisle all my years,” she said. “I’d like to see the common sense of government come back.” 

Labriola said parents have contacted her with concerns about reading scores in Old Saybrook and state education mandates. She said she wants to advocate for parents and give educators more time to teach rather than comply with administrative requirements. 

“They’re not happy about that, so they’d like to see something change in that respect,” she said. “I’d like to help them with that and I want to be their advocate.” 

She said it would be better if educators spent more time teaching than following mandates. 

Putting Experience to Work

Labriola hopes to draw on her experience with short-term bond investments as Old Saybrook’s treasurer by serving on the state legislature’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

She would also like to get a seat on the Transportation Committee like current 23rd District state Rep. Devin Carney, R-Old Lyme, and on the Government Administration and Elections Committee. 

“I almost wanted to be the Secretary of the State,” she said. “I really, really, know election law cold.”

Labriola cited positive relationships with others in state government, including state Sen. Martha Marx, D-New London, and state Sen. Norm Needleman, D-Essex. 

She hopes to draw on connections with lawmakers in both parties to advance her priorities. 

“I have great relationships with so many people and a lot of people really like me,” she said. “We’ll work together, and we’ll get things done.”

Labriola said the 23rd District, with its small coastal towns, is unique.

She said the beauty of the shoreline running through Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook is complemented by the “countryside feeling” that makes Lyme feel almost like Vermont. 

“It’s a uniquely gorgeous district,” she said. “We need to keep it beautiful.”