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(Left to right) Jason Perillo and Anthony Afriyie are running for a vacant seat in the state Senate.
SEYMOUR-SHELTON – Tackling skyrocketing electricity costs and making Connecticut more affordable are some of the things the two candidates running to replace state Sen. Kevin Kelly are making their top priorities.
A special election has been scheduled for Feb. 25. The two candidates vying to fill Kelly’s seat are Republican state Rep. Jason Perillo (R‑Shelton) and Democrat Anthony Afriyie, a Stratford town councilman.
Kelly, a Republican, has served the state’s 21st Senate District – which represents Shelton and parts of Seymour, Monroe and Stratford – for 14 years. He was re-elected last November, where he ran unopposed. Kelly resigned his seat prior to the Jan. 8 opening of the General Assembly. Kelly is expected to be nominated by Gov. Ned Lamont as a Connecticut Superior Court judge.
Both Perillo and Afriyie won their respective party’s endorsements earlier this month to run in the special election.
Who Is Jason Perillo?
Perillo, 47, a lifelong Shelton resident, has been representing the 113th House District in Shelton since 2007, where he is currently serving on the government oversight, legislative management, public health and finance committees.
He has served as former chief of Echo Hose Ambulance in Shelton, where he’s been a volunteer since 1999. Perillo has also served as a Shelton Alderman, member of the Shelton Planning and Commission and Shelton Board of Apportionment and Taxation. Perillo is married to wife Becky and dad to daughter Lydia.
Perillo earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Georgetown University in 1999, a master’s degree in business administration from Boston College in 2005 and a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University in 2007. He works as a hospital executive at Silver Hill Hospital in Fairfield County.
Who Is Anthony Afriyie?
Afriyie, 27, is a native of the Bronx, NY, and was raised in Stratford, where he serves on the Stratford Town Council. He volunteered with AmeriCorps, helping with disaster recovery, conservation efforts and urban development in several states. He interned with the City of Bridgeport Small Minority and Women Business Enterprise, with former Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, with the Connecticut General Assembly and worked in two congressional offices serving U.S. House Representatives John B. Larson and Rosa DeLauro.
Afriyie earned a Bachelor of Art degree in political science from Western Connecticut State University in 2020 and a master’s degree in public administration from CUNY Baruch College with a specialization in Urban Development and Sustainability in 2024.
He currently works as DeLauro’s press secretary and outreach coordinator. Afriyie is single and has a girlfriend of five years.
Why Are They Running For Office?
Perillo said he wants to bring his experience and success serving Shelton in the legislature to the other towns in the 21st district.
“Working with local and state officials, we’ve brought in funds for economic development and infrastructure,” Perillo said. “Those successes lead to affordability, which is important to everyone, especially seniors. I would like to take my legislative success and build on it to benefit the residents of Seymour, Monroe and Stratford. I work very well with local officials in those towns and together we can do great things. I’m born and raised in the Valley. So, I’m very plugged in on the issues that matter to our towns.”
Afriyie said he wants to bring a fresh perspective and bold ideas to the office.
“I believe the time has come to bring fresh perspectives to political discourse,” Afriyie said. “I offer bold, innovative ideas that address modern issues, from advancing technology to tackling the evolving needs of today’s society. My candidacy represents a shift toward a future where policies align with the challenges and aspirations of younger generations. I envision reforms that prioritize innovation, inclusivity and progress, ensuring a government that works for working families while also building a foundation for a fairer and more sustainable future.”
Perillo’s Top 3 Issues Facing Connecticut
1. Electricity Costs
“We need to drastically roll back the “public benefit” charge on our utility bills. The cost of electricity is high enough in Connecticut. We can’t afford additional government-imposed fees. I am currently sponsoring legislation that would do this.”
2. Affordability
“First, we need to roll back state income taxes on social security and pension benefits. I have already begun the process of working on this in Hartford. Second, any additional state spending should be directed at lowering local property taxes. This can be done if the state properly pays for the cost of special education services in our schools.”
3. State Aid For Economic Development
“This is true in all four towns within the district. One example that comes to mind is the Waterbury branch of the New Haven rail line. Improvements along the line could have tremendous positive impact throughout the Valley but it cannot be at the expense of parking in downtown Seymour. I’ve worked with the governor’s office on similar infrastructure challenges and I would continue to do so.”
Afriyie’s Top 3 Issues Facing Connecticut
1. Economic Inequality And Cost Of Living
“Rising property taxes, utility bills, housing costs, and healthcare expenses are forcing families to live paycheck to paycheck. I would address this by focusing on creating good jobs. By supporting local businesses, investing in advanced manufacturing and ensuring workforce training programs are affordable, I will support legislation that creates pathways to good-paying jobs.”
2. Education And Workforce Development
“Many schools in Connecticut face outdated infrastructure, a lack of resources and challenges in preparing students for modern jobs. In addition, there is a growing need for skilled workers in emerging industries. To address this, I would champion early education. I would support expanding school readiness programs to ensure children start learning at an early age, with parents actively engaged.”
3. Infrastructure And Environmental Sustainability
“Connecticut’s aging infrastructure, including roads, bridges and public transit systems, hinders economic growth and quality of life. At the same time, climate change poses significant threats to the state’s environment and communities. I would enact smart growth policies. I will work to curb urban sprawl by focusing on promoting policies that encourage development in already established areas, reducing costs for small towns and protecting Connecticut’s rural and suburban character.”
For more information about who can vote and where to vote, visit the CT Secretary of State website.