On Monday, Michael Nicastro, principal of Coppermine Advisors, LLC and the Entrepreneur-in- Residence at Central Connecticut State University, was unanimously endorsed by party delegates to seek the state senate seat in the 31st district, a press release from his campaign announced.
The 31st includes Bristol, Harwinton, Plainville,Plymouth and Thomaston and the seat is currently held by Henri Martin, a Republican.
Nicastro’s name was placed in nomination by his brother Frank Nicastro, Sr., the retiring state representative for the 79th House District.
“I want to thank Frank for his many years of service to the City of Bristol and the region and for placing my name in nomination,” said Michael Nicastro, the press release reported. “I accept the endorsement from my friends, colleagues and peers and look forward to the hard work ahead to capture this seat. It is the only way what we will bring actual change and not just more platitudes and finger pointing to the 31st and our state.”
In his acceptance speech, the news release from his campaign reported, the candidate echoed the five points of his campaign focus:
Fiscal management – “Developing a fiscally sound budget is not a set it and forget it effort.”
Innovation – “We must reinvigorate a sense of innovation in our economy and in how we govern.”
Entrepreneurship – “To celebrate and encourage innovation we must also inspire the entrepreneurs in our midst.”
Succession Planning – “Close to 47 percent of small businesses are owned by residents who are 55 years of age or older. We are facing a small business ‘Silver Tsunami’ as it is referred to. If we choose to ignore this phenomenon we do so at our economic peril.”
Higher Education – “As evidenced by the Republican budget proposal, every time we find ourselves in a fiscal crunch higher education becomes the immediate target. An outcome which usually results in higher tuition and the further deepening of personal debt on our future generations.”
The release said Nicastro also made it clear that he will work with any legislator on either side of the aisle in search of solutions. He stated, the news release said, “I’ve looked at the Republican budget proposal and there are elements that deserve a fair discussion. That said, their proposal guts higher education and transportation. As a fellow businessman, I’m concerned that by his unqualified support of this proposal, Henri still does not fully grasp why companies such as GE are headed elsewhere. They’ve been clear. We are not producing the workforce they seek and our transportation infrastructure doesn’t meet their needs. As such the huge reductions to higher education and transportation amounts to cutting off our nose to spite our face.”
The Nicastro for the 31st team continues to grow and the fundraising is well underway, said the news release. There will be a number of upcoming fundraising events in the next few weeks.
For more information, the release said, call (860)202- 0348 or visit online at MikeNicastroforStateSenate.com or via Facebook.