Danette Onofrio
Danette Onofrio (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Connecticut House of Representatives to represent District 108. She lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Onofrio completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Danette Onofrio was born in Goshen, New York. She earned a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) Empire State College in 1999 and a master's degree from the Marist College School of Management in 2001. Her professional experience includes working for a legislative body, for two public health agencies, and for a school. She owns her own business and is a consultant, including working as a business advisor for Western Connecticut SCORE.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: Connecticut House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Connecticut House of Representatives District 108
Pat Callahan defeated Danette Onofrio in the general election for Connecticut House of Representatives District 108 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Pat Callahan (R) | 54.8 | 7,002 | |
| Danette Onofrio (D) | 45.2 | 5,768 | ||
| Total votes: 12,770 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Danette Onofrio advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut House of Representatives District 108.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Pat Callahan advanced from the Republican primary for Connecticut House of Representatives District 108.
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Danette Onofrio completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Onofrio's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Danette Onofrio brings an education, skills and experience to improving the lives of people who live in Connecticut. She has a master's in public administration and is a candidate for a doctorate in management. She has 20 years experience working for a legislative body, and years of experience working for and with government, schools and nonprofits to provide better services for lower costs. She is a self-made business owner and business advisor for Western Connecticut SCORE. Danette has coordinated epidemics; improved and increased access to healthcare and worked to reduce teen pregnancy and violence. As a consulting, she helps entities to identify their most pressing needs and to improve them.
- COVID and it's impact on the economy, healthcare and schools are first on people's minds. I coordinated epidemic responses for HIV/AIDS and opioid crisis. I worked to make sure people had health insurance and businesses could also provide it. I'm a small business owner and business advisor for Western CT SCORE. I help people start, reinvent and expand their businesses.
- Strengthen schools and libraries to ensure students and community are prepared for jobs and enjoy learning. Keeping people safe in these and other public settings is critical. I served on a School Safety Committee; keeping students and educators safe.
- Protect Candlewood Lake, Ball Pond and other natural resources. I have led the charge in problems on Candlewood Lake and started an Environmental Advisory Committee to lead initiatives to improve the environment.
I am passionate about keeping people safe from COVID, a quality education that is safe for everyone, and building business that can thrive during COVID and pay a livable wage to working families.
I always looked up to a friend of mine, Rita Wells. She is a woman of integrity and always gave of herself to other people. We shared the ability to always make people our bottom line.
Elected officials should be principles and hold character. Their actions must be directed to the health and well-being of their constituents, not self-serving or for the benefit of their colleagues. They must be honest and have integrity and must be hard working.
I have skills and experience in the most pressing areas of needs in the 108th District. I am high energy and get things done.
A core responsibility is that elected officials must work as a team to develop shared visions for the future that benefits the people. They must enact policies and laws that will lead to improvements in areas that have a negative impact on people and to improve the lives of people.
I would like to be known as the elected officials that made a measurable impact in the lives of people in the 108th General Assembly District.
My earliest recollection of a historical event was the assassination of John F. Kennedy. It stood out for me because my father was killed by gun violence in workplace violence and I connected instantly to the Kennedy children.
My first job was in food service department for the college I attended. I held the job for two years.
The wedding song. It's a memory with the love of my life.
The struggle in my life was being raised in a single-parent family after the violent death of my father. That incident led to a life of poverty since my mother had to drop out of school to take care of the early death of two parents. But, I rose above it, putting myself through college and became an entrepreneur. I always remember to give back to people who are on their way up to success.
The best state legislators should be educated, skilled and have experience in public entities. Legislating for the best possible outcomes for people should have a thorough understanding in areas of budgeting, the most pressing needs of people and how to support government in implementing strategies that get the best outcomes.
COVID and its impact on the economy, healthcare, and schools are the greatest challenges. In my area, Candlewood Lake and other lakes, ponds and natural resources are critical to our residents.
Effective relationships are ones that are open, have healthy dialogue and can challenge each other on issues and make compromises on issues, whenever possible. The aim is to get things done that people need.
Yes. Strong relationships between ALL legislators is important as issues are discussed and decided.
Committees of interest are Public Health, Commerce, Education, Environment, and Human Services
I would be interested in being a Committee Co-Chair.
There are several legislators whom I respect and will draw from their expertise and experience in my journey as a legislator.
No. I am interested in improving the State of Connecticut.
I met a resident in the 108th District who was battling the health effects of mold in her condo and who was fighting in court because the damage was caused by a storm to the outside of her residence that was not fixed properly or timely. She was given linkages by the candidate to resources who could help her.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 5, 2020
