Tony Sutton, Majority Leader of Milford’s Board of Aldermen, was nominated by acclamation two weeks ago as the Democratic candidate for State Representative for the 117th District, covering sections of Milford, West Haven and Orange.
The district convention was “virtual,” held by videoconference. Delegates representing West Haven, Orange, and Milford joined to watch West Haven Board of Education Chairman Cebi Burns Waterfield place Sutton’s name into nomination. Seconding the nomination was Sutton’s mother, Anne-Marie Sutton, who spoke of her son’s longstanding commitment to helping others, which she recalled was apparent from a very young age.
Milford Mayor Ben Blake also spoke in favor of Sutton’s nomination:
“Tony Sutton is an honest, hardworking, smart and sensible leader. As the Majority Leader on the Board of Aldermen, Tony works the details in order to accomplish big things. He’s helped streamline the way our government operates and made things more efficient and effective than ever before. And that’s paid off huge with dividends. We’ve had lots of successes under Tony’s leadership. Last week Tony helped adopt an annual budget which cuts taxes for a fifth consecutive year in a row – that’s a back to back to back to back to back decrease in taxes for all residents and businesses – he’ll bring the same determination to Hartford.”
In accepting the nomination, Sutton thanked his wife Stacy, who grew up in West Haven, and has been an educator in the West Haven Public Schools for the last 16 years; first teaching at Mackrille Elementary School, and now as an Assistant Principal of Bailey Middle School.
Sutton pointed to his budgeting experience as a Milford Alderman as invaluable experience that will allow him to tackle the significant challenges facing the next session of the General Assembly as it works to promote the state’s economic recovery:
“We’ve [cut taxes five years in a row] through sound fiscal management, innovation and a commitment to teamwork. We have consistently delivered high caliber services, improved infrastructure, expanded educational opportunities for students, and continue to provide first-class public safety for our residents. That same approach is necessary to tackle the problems facing our state as we get our residents, communities, and businesses back on their feet . . . I want to bring that mindset to Hartford, and I want that to lift our towns and lift our state.”
Sutton, 48, has resided in Milford for 18 years with his wife and two daughters, and is an attorney in private practice. He is a graduate of Quinnipiac College School of Law and New York University.
Sutton will face Republican Charles Ferraro of West Haven on the ballot in November.