(Left to right) Republican Mayor David Cassetti is challenging state Rep. Kara Rochelle for her seat representing Ansonia & Derby in the state House of Representatives.
ANSONIA — DERBY – Earlier this summer incumbent state Rep. Kara Rochelle had a small lead in the money race over her challenger, Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti.
“Kara for Ansonia & Derby” raised $6,298 from individual donors as of June 30, according to the campaign finance disclosures due on July 10 with the state. “Cassetti For State Rep” had raised $5,913, according to its July 10 filing.
That’s a difference of $385.
The Rochelle campaign had spent $4,679 as of June 30 and had $1,618 on hand.
Rochelle’s campaign filed an additional report on July 25 covering an additional three weeks in July. It bumped the total raised to $6,343.04 with $4,921.31 paid out and $1,421.73 on hand.
“Cassetti For State Rep” had $1,198 in cash on hand as of June 30, with the campaign having spent $4,715.
A third candidate, Ansonia resident Tom Egan, filed paperwork with the state saying he is exempt from reporting requirements because he does not intend to spend or receive more than $1,000. Egan, who challenged Cassetti for the mayor’s office in 2023 as a Democrat, lists his political party as unaffiliated.
The Rochelle re-election campaign received four $250 donations from individuals – James Stirling, Patricia Moonan, Daniel Stahl and Karen Reynolds. Those are the largest individual donors listed in the report ending on June 30.
The biggest Cassetti donors include $500 from Odalys Delarosa, as well as $320 each from Michael Mayko, Frances Mayko and Alderman Anthony Levinsky.
Rochelle donors include 17 former or current Derby elected officials, including Mayor Joseph DiMartino, former Mayor Anita Dugatto, Town Clerk Marc Garofalo, and Derby Board of Education Chairman Jim Gildea. Former state Rep. Linda Gentile, who held the seat prior to Rochelle, also donated to her re-election campaign.
Cassetti donors also included seven of the city’s 14 Aldermen, state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis, former Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan, and Derby Republican Town Committee Chairman Gino DiGiovanni.
Gary Cassetti and Joseph Cassetti – the mayor’s brothers – each gave $250 to the campaign.
Cassetti told The Valley Indy that his campaign is in the process of applying for public funding through the Citizen’s Election Program. Filings indicate Rochelle’s campaign is doing the same.
Under that program, the state provides up to $36,500 for state house candidates running in contested districts. The deadline to apply for the full amount is Aug. 26, according to the State Election Enforcements Commission website.
The next campaign finance filing deadline is Oct. 10.
The two candidates are running to see who represents District 104 in the Connecticut House of Representatives. The district covers Ansonia and west Derby.
Cassetti, a Republican, is in his sixth term as Ansonia’s mayor. Rochelle, a Democrat, is in her third term as a state representative.
Just under 24,000 people live in the district, according to CensusReporter.org. Visit the link for other demographic data.
The Valley Indy reached out to state Rep. Kara Rochelle for comment on her fundraising and Cassetti’s.
“I’m so proud and appreciative to have broad support from a wide range of people: Democrats, Independents, and even some Republicans who support the work I’m doing for Ansonia and Derby and want to see me continue,” Rochelle said in an email.
Dave Hannon, the Ansonia Democratic Town Committee chairman, was asked the same questions regarding the fundraising data. He answered with broad criticisms of the mayor.
The Valley Indy reached out to Cassetti with the same set of questions. He answered by saying fundraising is going well and his campaign was qualifying for the Citizen’s Election Program.
Anthony Mammone, the Ansonia Republican Town Committee chairman, did not respond to a request for comment as of Aug. 2.
The donations listed below were taken directly from the documents submitted online to the state Elections Enforcement Commission.
Cassetti For State Rep Campaign Disclosures
Cassetti April 10 Filing
Covering March 10 through March 31.
No donations listed.
(Cassetti announced his campaign on March 20)
Cassetti July 10 Filing
Covering April 1 through June 30
Daniel Bosques
Ansonia
Assistant Director, City of Ansonia
$100
Anthony Levinsky
Ansonia
Machinist
$320
Michael Mayko
Milford
Crossing guard
$320
Joseph DiVincenzo
Oxford
Maintenance
$200
Frances Mayko
Milford
Retired
$320
Joseph DiVincenzo
Ansonia
Retired
$100
Joseph Jeanette, Jr
Ansonia
Retired
$100
Gary Cassetti
Ansonia
Retired
$250
Fred Sardo, Jr.
Ansonia
Retired
$100
Maxwell DiCarlo
Derby
Student
$5
Irene Osterhoudt
Ansonia
Unemployed
$20
Harry Veach
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Alexandra Dicarlo
Derby
Student
$5
Rich DiCarlo
Derby
Zoning, city of Ansonia
$5
Wendy DiCarlo
Derby
Administrator
$5
Joseph Cassetti
Ansonia
Retired
$250
Angela DeGregora
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Ronald Degregirua
Ansonia
Retired
$100
Raymond Bagley, Jr.
Ansonia
Sheet metal worker
$25
Louis Figueroa
Ansonia
Carpenter
$5
Jessie Brown
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Lisa Kershaw
Ansonia
Aide
$5
Daniel Kershaw
Ansonia
City of Ansonia streets
$5
Marian Osterhoudt
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Michael Carpinello
Ansonia
Owner, Super Softy
$5
JoAnn Hunds
Ansonia
Server
$5
Donna Knott
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Edward Smith
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Barbara Angelucci
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Louis Angelucci
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Isabella Andretta
Ansonia
Senior discharge analyst
|$20
Massimo Andretta
Ansonia
Owner, Massimo’s Ristorante
$20
Diane Witek
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Michael Witek
Ansonia
CT Water EHIS
$5
John Maloney
Ansonia
Retired
$10
Connie Rykowski
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Beverly Favreau
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Jason St. Jacques
Ansonia
Superintendent
$20
Fran DiGiorgi
Ansonia
Retired
$20
Rita St. Jacques
Ansonia
Sewer administrator
$20
Carl Tartaglia, Jr.
Ansonia
Mechanic
$5
Joyce Cassetti
Ansonia
Occupation not recorded
$100
Wilfredo Martinez
Bridgeport
Sheriff
$5
Bobbi Tar
Ansonia
Truant officer
$20
John Tar
Ansonia
Police Sergeant
$20
Cheryl Henri
Ansonia
Retired
$35
Pat Henri
Ansonia
Retired
$100
Frances Pepe
Derby
Bookkeeper
$25
Frank Pepe
Derby
Owner, F. Pepe Construction
$25
Marie Direnzo
Ansonia
Hairdresser
$50
Frank Appleby
Ansonia
Owner, Counterforce Security
$25
Dorothy Cwanek
Ansonia
Retired
$30
Josephine Beattie
Ansonia
Senior composite worker
$100
Richard Cretella
Ansonia
Machinist
$50
James Cretella
Seymour
Mechanic
$25
Arthur Delibero
Ansonia
Production planner
$10
Tracey Delibero
Ansonia
Secretary
$10
Frank Delibero
Ansonia
Epediter
$20
Kenneth Moffat
Ansonia
Machinist specialist
$50
Cheryl Henri
Ansonia
Retired
$35
Kay Jeanette
Ansonia
Chief clerk, CT Probate Court
$25
Jared Heon
Ansonia
Executive Director Ansonia Housing Authority
$100
Brandon Rodriguez
Ansonia
Electrical equipment technician
$25
Mario Durante
Ansonia
Barber
$5
Maria Micciche
Ansonia
Retired
$50
Mark Ritchie
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Eleanor Ritchie
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Sabrina D’Amico
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Giovanni Pudols
Ansonia
Ansonia Board of Education
$5
Ed Adamowski
Ansonia
HVAC business owner
$100
Steffanie Arduini
Ansonia
Financial advisor
$100
Brian Sirowich
Seymour
Engineering consultant
$25
Tim Holman, Sr.
Ansonia
Superintendent
$30
Joann Nguy
Ansonia
Assembler
$50
William Strubbe
Oxford
IT analyst
$25
Judith Nicolari
Ansonia
City treasurer
$25
Jason St. Jacques
Ansonia
WPCA superintendent
$50
Annmarie Drugonis
Seymour
Seymour First Selectwoman
$100
Kenneth Breen
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Debra Kaza
Monroe
Retired
$23
Steven Ditria
Seymour
Administrator
$100
Nicole Klarides-Ditria
Seymour
Legislator
$100
Aagostino Flippone
Ansonia
Painter
$200
Aleida Flippone-Cruz
Ansonia
Administrator
$200
Nancy Haddad
Derby
Retired
$60
Gene DiGiovanni
Derby
Construction worker
$50
Morris Digiorgi
Oxford
Retired
$300
Ralphine Siggars-Ford
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Joseph Pinto
Ansonia
Insurance agent
$10
Jessica Pinto
Ansonia
Financial analyst
$10
Richard Dziekan
Derby
Retired
$5
Steven Adamowski
Ansonia
Retired
$100
Jennifer Niu
Ansonia
Manager
$25
Louis Schwartz
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Ellen Schwartz
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Louis Figurroa
Ansonia
Weatherization technician
$5
Omayra Figueroa
Ansonia
Customer service
$5
Robert Knott
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Emily Marganski
Ansonia
Customer service
$5
Jayden Marganski
Ansonia
Grounds crew
$5
Jacob Marganski
Ansonia
Civil engineer
$5
Penny Marganski
Ansonia
Hairstylist/office manager
$5
Victor Fallowski
Ansonia
Student
$5
Ladorne Barnes
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Daphne Barnes
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Steven Barnes
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Steven Pepe
Ansonia
Hydraulic mechanics
$5
Robin Cardinay
Derby
Dental assistant
$5
Pasquale Dinardo
Derby
Retired
$5
Tiana Smith
Ansonia
Administrative assistant
$5
Jenna Barnes
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Noah Falkowski
Ansonia
Accountant
$5
John Arruda
Ansonia
Engineer
$5
Theresa Falkowski
Ansonia
Teacher
$5
Aisalynn Hurd
Ansonia
Daycare teacher
$5
David Falkowski
Ansonia
Plumber
$5
Christine Pswoinski
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Frank Guisto
Ansonia
Large mechanic operator
$50
Robert McDowell
Ansonia
Driver
$10
Kara Cassetti
Ansonia
Sonographer
$10
Robin Lane
Ansonia
Landscaper
$10
Steven Lane
Ansonia
Landscaper
$10
Barbara Brookins
Ansonia
Bus driver
$10
Maria Bitso-Brookins
Ansonia
Nurse
$10
Jesse Brookins
Ansonia
Cook
$10
Joshua Brookins
Ansonia
Tow truck driver
$10
Odalys Delarosa
Ansonia
Hospital scheduling
$500
Isabella Mendoza
Ansonia
Retired
$50
Christopher Mendoza
Ansonia
Commercial driver
$50
Michelle Mendoza
Ansonia
Self-employed
$50
Vincent Malerba
Marco Island, FL
Retired
$100
Todd Perkins
Ansonia
Retired
$10
Brandon Perkins
Ansonia
Pest technician
$10
Francis Brookins
Ansonia
Truck driver
$10
Stacey Mar
Derby
Retired
$5
Kara For Ansonia & Derby Campaign Finance Disclosures
Rochelle April 10 Campaign Filing
Covers Jan. 1 through March 31
Jason Jones
Shelton
paralegal
$55
Allen Rochelle
Seymour
Retired
$100
Catherine Andrews
Derby
Retired
$5
Robert DeCarli
Cheshire
Technical recruiter
$50
Erica Byrne
Windsor
Consultant
$100
Michael Carrington
Southbury
Attorney
$50
Christopher Green
Stratford
COO
$25
Carlene Williams
Ansonia
Office manager
$50
Kerry Florio-Munroe
Milford
Union officer
$250
Dylan Carlson
Watertown
Office/warehouse assistant/UPS account representative
$150
Patricia DeSilva
Ansonia
Dean’s executive assistant
$150
Dave Hannon
Ansonia
Union president
$25
Angie Parkinson
East Hartford
Teacher
$50
Edward Allen
Ansonia
Retired
$50
Russell Linder
Ansonia
Master of ceremonies
$100
Roberto Santos
Derby
Counselor
$25
Clifford Hoyle
Ansonia
Attorney
$100
Javier Varas
Ansonia
Management and policy analyst
$25
Anita Dugatto
Derby
Dentist
$10
Barbara Montalvo
Derby
Municipal government administrator
$5
James Stirling
Bethany
Retired
$250
Laurie Bussell
Derby
Retired
$50
Stephan Behuniak
Seymour
Unemployed
$25
Lawrence Bussell
Derby
Retired
$50
John Hogan
Ansonia
Retired
$200
Dawnmarie Hunter
Seymour
Yale New Haven Health Systems
$50
Patricia Moonan
Shelton
Licensed marriage and family therapist
$250
William Kelly
New York, NY
Senior product developer
$5
Cheryl Pereiras
Derby
Retired
$10
Daniel Bosques
Ansonia
Assistant Director, Ansonia Nature Center
$25
Theodore Graham
Ansonia
Package handler
$5
Hermina Lae
Ansonia
Transporter
$5
Herbert Daniels
Derby
Retired
$5
Hattie Daniels
Derby
Retired
$5
Kenneth McClary
Bloomfield
Director
$25
Daniel Stahl
Ansonia
Retired
$250
Lisa Glazer
Ansonia
Realtor
$5
Jerome Fainer
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Brian Perkins
Ansonia
Student
$5
Dominique Ryalls
Ansonia
Graphic designer
$25
Eileen Krugel
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Debra Cohen
Weathersfield
Retired
$25
Kathleen Keating
Derby
Customer service
$5
Alycia Keating
Derby
Retired
$5
Jaylen Daniels
Ansonia
Unemployed
$5
Toby Lindner
Ansonia
Laborer
$10
Cassidy Lindner
Ansonia
Artist
$5
Gary Giannone
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Edens Philogene
Derby
Big Y dairy and frozen
$110
Kya Hunter
Derby
Front end associate
$10
Vanita Bhalla
Woodbury
Career coach
$50
Steven Winter
Bethany
Physicians assistant
$250
Tommy Hyde
Farmington
Executive director
$50
Karen Reynolds
Ansonia
Retired
$250
Steven Erlingheuser
Ansonia
Dishwasher
$50
Gina Calabro
Wayland, MA
Attorney
$100
Maliqa Mosley-Williams
Ansonia
Student
$10
Al Simon
Northampton, MA
Retired
$25
John Betkoski
Beacon Falls
Public utilities commissioner
$150
Amy Arutt
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Marc Garofalo
Derby
Town clerk
$25
Scott Glazer
Ansonia
Realtor
$5
Linda Fusco
Derby
Chief of staff
$50
Adam Pacheo
Derby
Fire captain
$100
Jerome Christiani
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Florence Mankulies
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Nancy Oslecki
Derby
Retired
$5
John Mastriani
Derby
Retired
$5
Patricia Mastriani
Derby
Retired
$5
Eugene Cybart
Shelton
Engineer
$5
Lisa Penna
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Arthur Carotenuto
Derby
Retired
$5
Sheldon Haley
Ansonia
Unemployed
$5
Alisha Freelove
Ansonia
Caseworker
$5
Chris Grizzle
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Samiyah Freelove
Ansonia
Cumberland Farms
$5
Rosemarie Bobbitt
Bridgeport
Nursing recruiter
$100
Lydia Douglas
Ansonia
Teacher
$10
Sonis Grizzle
Ansonia
Administration
$5
Andrea Hyde
Derby
Therapeutic recreation Director
$10
Thomas Hyde
Derby
Retired
$10
Stevie Bobbitt
Ansonia
Electrician
$25
James Capra
Stratford
District manager
$50
Caitlin Malloy
Ansonia
Occupational therapist
$25
James Malloy
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Joseph Dimartino
Derby
Mayor, city of Derby
$50
Karen Phipps
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Elizabeth Maffeo
Ansonia
Retired
$10
Thomas Maffeo
Ansonia
Owner, Lamotex Inc.
$10
William Phipps
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Joseph Confinante
Ansonia
Line technician
$10
Karissa Confinante
Ansonia
Scanning coordinator
$10
Lori Dimartino
Derby
Panche Hair Design
$10
Lacy Dimartino
Derby
Surgical technologist
$10
Ryan Toffey
Derby
Marketing
$10
Christina Dimartino
Derby
Hairdresser
$10
Jordyn Toffey
Derby
Assistant town clerk, city of Derby
$10
James Dimartino
Derby
Locksmith
$10
Sarah Lewis
Bridgeport
Community affairs
$50
Jackie Hoyle
Ansonia
Practice manager
$50
Mellissa Chester
Ansonia
Director of communications
$10
Jan Hochadel
Meriden
President, AFT CT
$50
Ximena Diaz
Derby
Clergy
$25
Lourdes Romero
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Nancy Valentine
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Jim Gildea
Derby
Director of manufacturing
$25
Beverly Tidmarsh
Ansonia
Retired
$10
Frederick Tidmarsh
Ansonia
Retired
$10
Chemo Delgado
Ansonia
Life coach
$5
Ava Johnson
Ansonia
Hairdresser
$5
Williams Mekia
Ansonia
Packer
$5
Gabourine Bowers
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Rohan Brown
Ansonia
Student
$5
Chaneeij McCray
Ansonia
Student
$5
Jayson Santiago
Ansonia
Cashier
$5
Louis Schwartz
Ansonia
Retired
$40
Sarah Widomski
Derby
QA Officer
$5
Arthur Newberg
Derby
Sales associate
$5
Dave Hannon
Ansonia
Union president
$225
Colleen Ezzo
Derby
Labor relations representative
$10
Joseph Navin
Ansonia
Fire protection system specialist/firefighter
$25
Margaret Paradiso
Martinez, GA
Administration
$50
Ron Sill
Derby
Retired
$10
Linda Makita
Ansonia
Secretary
$5
Michelle Makita
Ansonia
Unemployed
$5
Kimberly Tovar
Derby
AR specialist
$10
Paul Lucuk
Ansonia
Educator
$25
Natalie Tovar
Derby
Server
$5
Susan Monarca
Oxford
Rare books
$50
Kailey Barney
Ansonia
Teacher
$5
Diane Rhodes
Ansonia
Unemployed
$5
Frances Uleano
Ansonia
Retired
$5
David Rhodes
Ansonia
Account manager
$5
Ilka Rhodes
Ansonia
Clinical site manager
$5
Lorena Silva
Ansonia
Teacher
$5
Patricio Silva
Ansonia
Technician
$5
Brittany Morazes
Ansonia
Office manager
$5
Caitlyn Rhodes
Derby
Operator
$5
Cody Newberg
Derby
Machinist
$5
John Gentile
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Linda Gentile
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Art Gerckens
Derby
Director
$25
Kaitlyn Gerckens
Derby
Southern Connecticut State University student worker
$5
Melissa Mongillo
Derby
Unemployed
$10
George Kurtyka
Derby
Senior patrol officer
$5
Camille Kurtyka
Derby
Retired
$5
Joan Svetz
Derby
Retired
$5
Thomas Finnucan
Ansonia
Office assistant
$20
William Luneski
Ansonia
Computer consultant
$5
Jennifer Desroches
Derby
Office manager
$5
Mary Gibson
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Elizabeth Zenit
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Thomas Zenit
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Thomas Lynch
Ansonia
Retired
$20
Elizabeth Lynch
Ansonia
Town clerk
$25
Joseph Dimech
Cheshire
Mediator
$50
Kaitlyn Shake
Stratford
Registered nurse
$100
Kathleen Ducharme
Derby
Resident services coordinator
$10
George Geer
Derby
Retired
$5
William Gibson
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Shane Edmonds
Ansonia
Mental health assistant
$75
Miklos Hary
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Mariano Malena
Derby
Administrative assistant
$10
Thomas Finnucan
Ansonia
Captain, judicial system
$25
Rosanne Geer
Derby
Retired
$5
Robert DeCarli
Cheshire
Aerospace technical recruiter
$75
Nicolas Gauthier
Waterford
Driver
$27
Diane Davis
Ansonia
Retired
$10
Sarah Cohen
Derby
Retired
$5
Florence Kolendo
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Mary Pizzillo
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Aniello Malerba
Derby
Letter carrier
$5
Cynthia Tonucci
Derby
Preschool Director
$100
Pamela Ortiz
Derby
Administrator
$25
Louise Pitney
Derby
Retired
$5
Nunzio Parente
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Maureen Parente
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Francis Tyszka
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Paula Tyszka
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Doreen Baillargeon
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Craig Baillargeon
Ansonia
Unemployed
$5
John Stroman
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Diane Stroman
Ansonia
Retired
$10
Jackson Monarca
Ansonia
Licensed professional counselor
$5
Mary Weber
Ansonia
Retire
$5
Philip Tripp
Ansonia
Sales
$5
Rochelle July 10 Campaign Filing
Covering June 6 through June 30
EDITOR’S NOTE: The dollar amounts listed are the aggregate amount. Meaning if a person donated in the previous filing, that donation is reflected in the amount listed below.
Christopher Phipps
Ansonia
Therapist
$5
Rita Pelaggi
Derby
Professor
$25
Tara Kolakowski
Ansonia
Business development
$5
Sandra DePalma
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Deborah Goodall
Ansonia
Retired
$25
Michael Goodall
Ansonia
Retired
$20
Tony Testa
Ansonia
Sales
$5
Joan Sweet
Ansonia
Retired
$5
Janet Spinning
Ansonia
Retired
$5
