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| {{short description|American politician}} | |||
| {{Infobox_Politician | |||
| | image = Replace this image male.svg | |||
| {{Infobox officeholder | |||
| | name = Dan Debicella | | name = Dan Debicella | ||
| | image = | |||
| | 225x250px| | |||
| | caption = | | caption = | ||
| | birth_date = |
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|10|24}} | ||
| | birth_place = ] | | birth_place = ], U.S. | ||
| | residence = ] | | residence = ] | ||
| | death_date = | | death_date = | ||
| | death_place = | | death_place = | ||
| | |
| state_senate = Connecticut State | ||
| | district = ] | |||
| | salary = | |||
| | term_start = 2007 | | term_start = January 7, 2007 | ||
| | term_end = |
| term_end = January 5, 2011 | ||
| | predecessor = ] | | predecessor = ] | ||
| | successor = |
| successor = ] | ||
| | party = ] | | party = ] | ||
| | religion = ] | |||
| | constituency = ], ] (part), ] (part), ] (part) | | constituency = ], ] (part), ] (part), ] (part) | ||
| | majority = | | majority = | ||
| | spouse = Alexandra Galli |
| spouse = Alexandra Galli | ||
| | children = | | children = | ||
| | website = http://www.debicella.com | | website = http://www.debicella.com | ||
| | alma_mater = ] (])<br>] (]) | |||
| | footnotes = | | footnotes = | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ''' |
'''Dan Debicella''' (born October 24, 1974) is a former State Senator and businessman, who represented the 21st district in the ]. He was also the 2010 and 2014 Republican candidate for Connecticut's ]. | ||
| == |
==Early life, education, and business career== | ||
| Debicella was born in ] and raised in ], where he currently resides. He graduated from ] in 1992. He holds a degree in finance from the ]'s ] and an ] from ]. | Debicella was born in ] and raised in ], where he currently resides. His father, Cal, was a ] for the ] and his mother, Maggie, is a secretary for the federal judicial system. He graduated from ] in 1992. He holds a degree in finance, ], from the ]'s ] and an ] from ], graduating in the top 5% of his class. | ||
| In his business career, Debicella worked as a consultant at ], Director of Strategy at ], and as an executive at ]. He continues to currently serves on the board of various community organizations. | |||
| ==Early political career== | |||
| Prior to being elected to the Connecticut State Senate, Debicella served on Shelton’s Board of Apportionment and Taxation for seven years, four as its chairman. Debicella acted as the ] regional chair for ]'s unsuccessful 2008 ].<ref>http://www.newhavenadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=4943</ref> | |||
| Debicella served on Shelton’s Board of Apportionment and Taxation for seven years, four as its chairman. Debicella acted as the ] regional chair for former ] ]'s unsuccessful 2008 ]. He also worked for State Senator ] as his campaign manager for several elections. | |||
| == |
==Connecticut Senate== | ||
| ===Elections=== | |||
| Debicella was first elected to the Connecticut State Senate in 2006 and subsequently re-elected in 2008. He succeeded George "Doc" Gunther, the longest-serving state legislator in Connecticut history, after working as his campaign manager for several elections.<ref>http://debicella.com/bio.html</ref> | |||
| Debicella decided to run for the ]'s 21st district in 2006 after longest-serving state legislator in the state's history, ], decided to retire. He defeated Democratic nominee Christopher Jones, 52–48%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=303207|title=Our Campaigns - CT State Senate 21 Race - Nov 07, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?a=3188&q=392586 |title=SOTS: Vote for State Senators 2006 |access-date=2013-09-06 |archive-date=2013-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523000238/http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?A=3188&Q=392586 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2008, he won re-election to a second term, defeating Democratic nominee Janice Andersen, 54–46%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=450628|title=Our Campaigns - CT State Senate 21 Race - Nov 04, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/lib/sots/electionservices/electionresults/2008_election_results/2008_state_senator.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-09-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619170447/http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/lib/sots/electionservices/electionresults/2008_election_results/2008_state_senator.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-19 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
| ===Tenure=== | |||
| In the State Senate, Debicella is a Deputy Minority Leader and sits on the Appropriations (ranking member), Higher Education (ranking member), Public Health (ranking member), and Regulations Review committees.<ref>http://www.senaterepublicans.ct.gov/leadership.html</ref><ref>http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=68394</ref> | |||
| In the State Senate, Debicella was a Deputy Minority Leader. He represented eastern ] in parts of the towns of ], ], ], and the entire city of ] (which is also his hometown). | |||
| He co-authored legislation that gave tax credits to businesses that create 10 or more jobs. Working with Republican ] ], he supported a budget that increased state aid for education by 10–20% without raising taxes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://debicella.com/about-dan.html |title=Debicella.com |publisher=Debicella.com |date= |accessdate=2022-08-13}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=October 2024}} | |||
| ===Economic issues=== | |||
| Debicella generally opposes creating new taxes or raising existing ones.<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=13643&can_id=68394</ref><ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=19877&can_id=68394</ref> In 2009, he has opposed Democratic deficit reduction plans and indicated a refusal to vote in favor of any budget that raises taxes.<ref>http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24706:democrat-republicans-oppose-budget-proposal&catid=186:local-news&Itemid=1786</ref><ref>http://www.thehour.com/story/470485</ref><ref>http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29374:local-leaders-protest-state-budget-impasse&catid=186:local-news&Itemid=1786</ref> He and other Republicans in the state legislature have proposed a series of spending cuts as an alternative, such as the amount of social services covered by state funding.<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=24052&can_id=68394</ref><ref>http://www.connpost.com/ci_12156841?IADID=Search-www.connpost.com-www.connpost.com</ref><ref>http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17999:debicella-lands-appropriations-seat&catid=186:local-news&Itemid=517</ref> | |||
| ===Committee assignments=== | |||
| Debicella was endorsed in the 2008 election by the ], indicating a voting record that generally favors businesses.<ref>http://www.cbia.com/newsroom/pastreleases/2008%20Releases/2008%20endorsements/21-%20Debicella,%20Dan.pdf</ref> He joined other Republicans in opposing bills requiring businesses to provide paid ] to their employees,<ref>http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=601&which_year=2007</ref> as well as a bill extending benefits for workers injured on the job.<ref>http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-30926953_ITM</ref> Debicella opposed a bill that called for a ban of ] in Connecticut restaurants, which was proposed by leading Senate Republicans.<ref><http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-30748813_ITM></ref> He has repeatedly voted against raising the ].<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=19038&can_id=68394</ref><ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=20094&can_id=68394</ref> The Connecticut ] gave Debicella a 29% rating on their 2008 scorecard, indicating a record generally opposed to the interests of ].<ref>http://www.ctaflcio.org/2008%20political%20conv/2007-2008%20Scorecard.pdf</ref> Debicella co-authored a bill that provides tax credits for businesses that create at least 10 new jobs in a year. The bill was passed unanimously and signed into law by Governor ].<ref>http://www.senaterepublicans.ct.gov/press/debicella/2007/061507.html</ref> In March 2009, Debicella was named a "Guardian of Small Business" by the ].<ref>http://www.senaterepublicans.ct.gov/press/debicella/2009/032709.html</ref> | |||
| *Appropriations Committee | |||
| *Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee | |||
| *Public Health Committee | |||
| *Regulation Review Committee<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballotpedia.org/index.php/Dan_Debicella|title=Dan Debicella}}</ref> | |||
| ==Congressional elections== | |||
| Debicella generally opposes health care mandates, as well as the creation or expansion of government-run health care programs. He has voted against mandating insurance companies to cover hearing aids for children,<ref>http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_lpa.asp?cmd=getdoc&DocId=34777&Index=I%3a\zindex\2007</ref> but in favor of requiring coverage of autism diagnosis and treatment.<ref>http://www.connpost.com/ci_12378669</ref> Debicella voted against the creation of ],<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=26031</ref> a program that would guarantee limited health care coverage for all Connecticut residents.<ref>http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/ci_12454817</ref> He also voted against allowing municipal, small business, and nonprofit employees to join the state employees' health insurance pool,<ref>http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2009/05/senate-approves-controversial.html</ref> as well as expanding Connecticut's HUSKY health plan to cover more children.<ref>http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/73585.php</ref> Debicella has proposed a bill that would allow individuals and families who receive a physical exam and all age-appropriate preventive tests to deduct out-of-pocket medical expenses from their state income tax.<ref>http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19393688&BRD=1637&PAG=461&dept_id=9180&rfi=8</ref> | |||
| ===2010=== | |||
| {{Main|United States House of Representatives elections in Connecticut, 2010#District 4}} | |||
| Debicella decided to retire from the state legislature to run for ] in 2010. On May 21, 2010, he won the endorsement of the ] at its convention. On August 10, 2010, Debicella won the Republican three-candidate primary field with 61% of the vote, defeating Robert Merkle and Rick Torres.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=555829|title=Our Campaigns - CT- District 04 - R Primary Race - Aug 10, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| The general election between Debicella and incumbent Democrat ] was very competitive. The race made ]'s Top 100 Most Competitive Races list, ]’s Daily 10 (a tracker of the closest House Races), and ]' list of "toss up" races. On November 2, he lost to Himes 53–47%. Debicella won the following areas: ] (67%), his hometown of ] (65%), ] (65%), ] (58%), ] (58%), ] (55%), ] (55%), ] (54%), ] (54%), and ] (53%). He lost ] (49%), ] (48%), ] (47%), ] (44%), ] (40%), ] (39%), and Bridgeport (16%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=488412|title=Our Campaigns - CT - District 04 Race - Nov 02, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Debicella co-sponsored a bipartisan bill to make it more difficult to take property by ] for commercial development.<ref>http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=167&which_year=2007&SUBMIT1.x=6&SUBMIT1.y=12</ref> He was one of three State Senators to vote against a bill allowing municipalities to delay their property ] process until 2011.<ref>http://www.connpost.com/ci_12312254</ref> He was also the lone vote against a bill that gave the town of ] control over a shellfish bed.<ref>http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CTPB&p_theme=ctpb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=119361772E5563A0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM</ref> | |||
| === |
===2014=== | ||
| {{Main|United States House of Representatives elections in Connecticut, 2014#District 4}} | |||
| During his first term in the State Senate, Debicella served on the Environment committee. In response to plans the ] had for waste deposit in Stratford, he co-sponsored a bill that prohibited individuals and government agencies from depositing more than 1,000 cubic yards of ]-laden soil near residential areas without approval from two-thirds of the municipality's legislative body.<ref>http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19677567&BRD=1637&PAG=461&dept_id=9180&rfi=8</ref> The Connecticut ] gave Debicella a 58% rating on their 2008 scorecard, the lowest in the state legislature.<ref>http://www.ctlcv.org/Scorecards/2008%20Scorecard.pdf</ref> | |||
| In September 2013, Debicella decided to run a rematch in the newly redrawn 4th district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shelton.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/former-state-sen-dan-debicella-of-shelton-to-challenge-himes-in-2014-bid-for-congress|title = Former State Sen. Dan Debicella, of Shelton, to Challenge Himes in 2014 Bid for Congress|date = 5 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
| Debicella generally votes against the creation of unfunded mandates on municipalities, such as requiring all student suspensions to be in-school.<ref>http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=7350&which_year=2007&SUBMIT1.x=20&SUBMIT1.y=3</ref> He co-sponsored a bipartisan bill that funded the Teacher’s Retirement Fund through state bonding.<ref>http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=6141&which_year=2007</ref> In committee, Debicella filibustered a controversial bill, which was ultimately vetoed by Rell, that would have allowed children of illegal immigrants who graduated from a Connecticut high school to apply for in-state tuition.<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2007/06/26/rell_vetoes_in_state_tuition_rates_for_illegal_immigrant_kids/</ref> In June 2009, as political backlash against Senate Democrats, Debicella filibustered another bill that would have attracted qualified teachers to needy districts by explaining how much he liked the bill while running out the clock to prevent a vote on it.<ref>http://www.courant.com/news/local/columnists/hc-teacher-legislature-green-0605jun05,0,5460340.column</ref> | |||
| Debicella supports having a “three strikes” law in Connecticut, which would automatically impose a life sentence upon anyone convicted of three violent felonies.<ref>http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=671&which_year=2008&SUBMIT1.x=2&SUBMIT1.y=17</ref> He voted against abolishing the ] in the state and supports reforms to make it "more workable."<ref>http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2009/05/31/news/a1-deathpenalty.txt</ref> He has also opposed the legalization of ].<ref>http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=6715&which_year=2009</ref> Debicella voted against a bill that increased penalties for trafficking firearms in the state and required lost and stolen firearms to be reported within 72 hours. <ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=13740&can_id=68394</ref> | |||
| Debicella has co-sponsored multiple bills to prohibit the expansion of ] in Stratford.<ref>http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5746&which_year=2008&SUBMIT1.x=4&SUBMIT1.y=12</ref><ref>http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19791493&BRD=1773&PAG=461&dept_id=30987&rfi=8</ref> In a rare tie vote in the Senate, he voted for ending ] of gasoline in Connecticut, which did not become law.<ref>http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=6980&which_year=2007&SUBMIT1.x=9&SUBMIT1.y=15</ref> | |||
| Debicella co-sponsored a bill that expanded Operation Fuel, a program that provides a $500 credit for Connecticut ] 65 or older whose income is at or below the state median, to assist with their home heating costs.<ref>http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20204740&BRD=1637&PAG=461&dept_id=9166&rfi=6</ref> | |||
| ===Social issues=== | |||
| Debicella is pro-choice but was one of three State Senators to vote against requiring health care facilities to provide ] to victims of ].<ref>http://www.myleftnutmeg.com/diary/10632/</ref><ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=12895&can_id=68394</ref> While defending this vote during the 2008 campaign, Debicella stated, "On the rape bill all I voted against was a bill allowing morning-after contraception to be issued to victims."<ref>http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_10838303</ref> This comment was heavily criticized by Democrats, including his opponent, Janice Andersen, who called it "insensitive to rape victims." Debicella defended his position by explaining that he supports access to emergency contraception but opposes forcing Catholic hospitals, who would have been affected by the bill, to go against their religious beliefs, and said Andersen was "using an emotional issue for political gain."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12697:debicella-defends-record-called-insensitive-to-rape-victims&catid=186:local-news&Itemid=517 | title=Andersen calls Debicella 'insensitive to rape victims' | first=John | last=Kovach | date=2008-10-31 | accessdate=2008-11-19 | publisher='']''}}</ref> | |||
| Debicella voted in favor of a bill codifying the ]'s recognition of ], but only after including protections for religious institutions and organizations. He also introduced amendments requiring schools to notify parents when marriage and sexuality were being discussed, and allowing parents to remove their children from such discussions, neither of which passed.<ref>http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-same-sex-marriage-0423.artapr23,0,3521923.story</ref><ref>http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB-0899</ref> He was endorsed in the 2008 election by the ], an anti-gay marriage outfit that advocated strongly for the amendments to the bill.<ref>http://www.ctfamily.org/2008_Endorsements.pdf</ref> Debicella was one of four State Senators to oppose prohibiting ] based on ].<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=13795&can_id=68394</ref> | |||
| ===Governance issues=== | |||
| Debicella supports ] and ], including a ].<ref>http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=444&which_year=2008&SUBMIT1.x=12&SUBMIT1.y=5</ref><ref>http://www.senaterepublicans.ct.gov/press/debicella/2008/080408.html</ref> He opposes holding special elections for ] vacancies.<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=26069&can_id=68394</ref> Debicella was one of two Senators to oppose a "clean contracting" bill designed to prevent the kind of preferential treatment and no-bid contracts that had brought scandal to former Governor ].<ref>http://www.ccm-ct.org/advocacy/2006-2007/092107.html</ref> Debicella joined the majority in voting for reform of the state's ] system.<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=25927&can_id=68394</ref> | |||
| ==Electoral history== | ==Electoral history== | ||
| {{Election box begin | title=]: Senatorial District 21}} | {{Election box begin | title=]: Senatorial District 21}} | ||
| {{Election box candidate with party link| | {{Election box candidate with party link| | ||
| |party = Republican Party (US) | |party = Republican Party (US) | ||
| |candidate = Dan Debicella | |candidate = Dan Debicella | ||
| |votes = 16,476 | |votes = 16,476 | ||
| |percentage = 52 |
|percentage = 52 | ||
| |change = | |change = | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| Line 79: | Line 74: | ||
| |candidate = Chris Jones | |candidate = Chris Jones | ||
| |votes = 15,099 | |votes = 15,099 | ||
| |percentage = |
|percentage = 48 | ||
| |change = | |change = | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| Line 94: | Line 89: | ||
| {{Election box end}} | {{Election box end}} | ||
| {{Election box begin | title=]: Senatorial District 21}} | {{Election box begin | title=]: Senatorial District 21}} | ||
| {{Election box candidate with party link| | {{Election box candidate with party link| | ||
| |party = Republican Party (US) | |party = Republican Party (US) | ||
| |candidate = Dan Debicella | |candidate = Dan Debicella | ||
| |votes = 24,940 | |votes = 24,940 | ||
| |percentage = 54 |
|percentage = 54 | ||
| |change = | |change = | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| Line 106: | Line 101: | ||
| |candidate = Janice Andersen | |candidate = Janice Andersen | ||
| |votes = 20,912 | |votes = 20,912 | ||
| |percentage = |
|percentage = 46 | ||
| |change = | |change = | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| Line 120: | Line 115: | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| {{Election box end}} | {{Election box end}} | ||
| {{Election box begin | title=]: District 4: Republican Primary}} | |||
| {{Election box candidate with party link| | |||
| |party = Republican Party (US) | |||
| |candidate = Dan Debicella | |||
| |votes = 16,153 | |||
| |percentage = 61 | |||
| |change = | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box candidate with party link| | |||
| |party = Republican Party (US) | |||
| |candidate = Rob Merkle | |||
| |votes = 6,912 | |||
| |percentage = 24 | |||
| |change = | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box candidate with party link| | |||
| |party = Republican Party (US) | |||
| |candidate = Rick Torres | |||
| |votes = 4,069 | |||
| |percentage = 15 | |||
| |change = | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box end}} | |||
| {{Election box begin | title=]: District 4: General}} | |||
| {{Election box candidate with party link| | |||
| |party = Republican Party (US) | |||
| |candidate = Dan Debicella | |||
| |votes = 102,030 | |||
| |percentage = 47 | |||
| |change = | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box candidate with party link| | |||
| |party = Democratic Party (US) | |||
| |candidate = Jim Himes | |||
| |votes = 115,351 | |||
| |percentage = 53 | |||
| |change = | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box end}} | |||
| == References == | |||
| {{Reflist}} | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * | * | ||
| * at Connecticut Senate Republicans | |||
| * at Project Vote Smart | |||
| * {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=68394 | fec=H0CT04146 | congress= }}<!-- | |||
| Links formerly displayed via the CongLinks template: | |||
| * at the National Institute for Money in State Politics | |||
| * --> | |||
| * at ] | |||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Debicella, Dan}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Debicella, Dan}} | ||
| ] | |||
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Latest revision as of 12:52, 5 December 2024
American politician| Dan Debicella | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Connecticut State Senate from the 21st district | |
| In office January 7, 2007 – January 5, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | George Gunther |
| Succeeded by | Kevin C. Kelly |
| Constituency | Shelton, Stratford (part), Monroe (part), Seymour (part) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1974-10-24) October 24, 1974 (age 50) Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Alexandra Galli |
| Residence | Shelton, Connecticut |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania (BS) Harvard University (MBA) |
| Website | http://www.debicella.com |
Dan Debicella (born October 24, 1974) is a former State Senator and businessman, who represented the 21st district in the Connecticut State Senate. He was also the 2010 and 2014 Republican candidate for Connecticut's Fourth Congressional District.
Early life, education, and business career
Debicella was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Shelton, where he currently resides. His father, Cal, was a policeman for the Bridgeport Police Department and his mother, Maggie, is a secretary for the federal judicial system. He graduated from Shelton High School in 1992. He holds a degree in finance, magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business and an MBA from Harvard Business School, graduating in the top 5% of his class.
In his business career, Debicella worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Co., Director of Strategy at PepsiCo, and as an executive at Bridgewater Associates. He continues to currently serves on the board of various community organizations.
Early political career
Debicella served on Shelton’s Board of Apportionment and Taxation for seven years, four as its chairman. Debicella acted as the Fairfield County regional chair for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's unsuccessful 2008 presidential campaign. He also worked for State Senator Doc Gunther as his campaign manager for several elections.
Connecticut Senate
Elections
Debicella decided to run for the Connecticut State Senate's 21st district in 2006 after longest-serving state legislator in the state's history, Doc Gunther, decided to retire. He defeated Democratic nominee Christopher Jones, 52–48%. In 2008, he won re-election to a second term, defeating Democratic nominee Janice Andersen, 54–46%.
Tenure
In the State Senate, Debicella was a Deputy Minority Leader. He represented eastern Fairfield County in parts of the towns of Monroe, Seymour, Stratford, and the entire city of Shelton (which is also his hometown).
He co-authored legislation that gave tax credits to businesses that create 10 or more jobs. Working with Republican Governor Jodi Rell, he supported a budget that increased state aid for education by 10–20% without raising taxes.
Committee assignments
- Appropriations Committee
- Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
- Public Health Committee
- Regulation Review Committee
Congressional elections
2010
Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Connecticut, 2010 § District 4Debicella decided to retire from the state legislature to run for Connecticut's 4th congressional district in 2010. On May 21, 2010, he won the endorsement of the Connecticut Republican Party at its convention. On August 10, 2010, Debicella won the Republican three-candidate primary field with 61% of the vote, defeating Robert Merkle and Rick Torres.
The general election between Debicella and incumbent Democrat Jim Himes was very competitive. The race made CNN's Top 100 Most Competitive Races list, Politico’s Daily 10 (a tracker of the closest House Races), and Real Clear Politics' list of "toss up" races. On November 2, he lost to Himes 53–47%. Debicella won the following areas: Darien (67%), his hometown of Shelton (65%), New Canaan (65%), Easton (58%), Monroe (58%), Greenwich (55%), Oxford (55%), Ridgefield (54%), Wilton (54%), and Trumbull (53%). He lost Fairfield (49%), Redding (48%), Weston (47%), Westport (44%), Norwalk (40%), Stamford (39%), and Bridgeport (16%).
2014
Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Connecticut, 2014 § District 4In September 2013, Debicella decided to run a rematch in the newly redrawn 4th district.
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Debicella | 16,476 | 52 | ||
| Democratic | Chris Jones | 15,099 | 48 | ||
| Majority | 1,377 | ||||
| Turnout | 31,575 | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Debicella | 24,940 | 54 | ||
| Democratic | Janice Andersen | 20,912 | 46 | ||
| Majority | 4,028 | ||||
| Turnout | 45,852 | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Debicella | 16,153 | 61 | ||
| Republican | Rob Merkle | 6,912 | 24 | ||
| Republican | Rick Torres | 4,069 | 15 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Debicella | 102,030 | 47 | ||
| Democratic | Jim Himes | 115,351 | 53 | ||
References
- "Our Campaigns - CT State Senate 21 Race - Nov 07, 2006".
- "SOTS: Vote for State Senators 2006". Archived from the original on 2013-05-23. Retrieved 2013-09-06.
- "Our Campaigns - CT State Senate 21 Race - Nov 04, 2008".
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-19. Retrieved 2013-09-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "Debicella.com". Debicella.com. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
- "Dan Debicella".
- "Our Campaigns - CT- District 04 - R Primary Race - Aug 10, 2010".
- "Our Campaigns - CT - District 04 Race - Nov 02, 2010".
- "Former State Sen. Dan Debicella, of Shelton, to Challenge Himes in 2014 Bid for Congress". 5 September 2013.
External links
- Campaign website
- Profile at Connecticut Senate Republicans
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org