Saying he was “sick and tired” of Hartford taking “and not giving back,’’ Valley-area lawyer and Ansonia resident Joseph A. Jaumann Thursday kicked off his campaign to unseat six-time incumbent Democrat Linda Gentile as state representative in the 104th District.
Jaumann, 39, the GOP endorsed candidate for the district seat representing Ansonia and Derby, announced his intention to run at a press conference at the Derby Green.
He was introduced by his fiancée, Crystal White, who said her husband-to-be was “committed to everything he does.’’
Juamann, a 1995 graduate of Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, N.Y. with law degrees from Quinnipiac and American University, promised to fight for lower taxes in the state legislature.
“Say what you want about lawyers, but we are fighters. I’ve spent many days fighting for the rights of my clients. And, now I want to be a fighter in Hartford,” he said.
Juamann said the Valley needs an independent voice in Hartford.
“As state representative I will fight for lower taxes, business development and fair funding for our schools,” Juamann said. “Honestly, I’m tired of seeing Connecticut ranked on the bottom of every list of economic indicators. I’m tired of seeing the Ansonia and Derby pay the price for the failures of career politicians in Hartford.’’
Jaumann is a partner at the firm of Drapp & Jaumann, LLC. He serves as chairman of Ansonia’s Planning and Zoning Commission, which he was appointed to by Mayor David Cassetti.
His involvement in local government began when he was first appointed to Ansonia’s Zoning Board of Appeals by former Mayor James Della Volpe. He also serves as a member of the city’s Economic Development Commission and volunteers as a blight appeals hearing officer.
Juamann has lived in Ansonia for 10 years. He has four children. A stepson, Tristin, is a U.S. Marine, according to his campaign’s website.
Click here for his campaign’s website.
Meanwhile, Gentile said she is looking forward to the upcoming campaign.
“I’ve done a great deal to help Valley businesses in my six terms,’’ said Gentile, who is also a deputy speaker for the House Democrats. “We are marching in the right direction. We’ve passed legislation to help start-up businesses, to improve job creation, and much more.’’
She pointed to a new report from the state’s Office of Military Affairs, stating the Pentagon’s request for military hardware will likely keep Sikorsky Aircraft busy, and hiring, for years to come.
And, she added, that same report said that Electric Boat and Pratt & Whitney will continue to fill orders for submarines and military jet engines, respectively.