Republican members of the State Senate today unanimously elected Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore Len Fasano, R-North Haven, to serve as Senate Minority Leader.
Sen. Fasano will succeed Sen. John McKinney, R-Fairfield, who did not seek re-election.
“I am humbled – this is a tremendous honor,” Sen. Fasano said. “I am grateful to our entire caucus for giving me the opportunity to promote the policies that we believe best serve the people of Connecticut. I serve Connecticut taxpayers alongside a wonderful and talented group of people. I look forward to working across party lines over the next two years to improve the quality of life for everyone in Connecticut.”
Sen. Fasano thanked Sen. McKinney for his many years of public service.
“Sen. McKinney has led our caucus with skill and class, and he will be missed,” Sen. Fasano said. “He has set the bar very high, and I will strive to live up to the standards that he has set as our Senate Minority Leader.”
Sen. Fasano represents the 34th Senatorial District communities of Durham, East Haven, North Haven and Wallingford. He has served in the State Senate since 2003 and previously served as a Senate Deputy Minority Leader. In addition to his current leadership position, Senator Fasano serves as Ranking Member on the General Assembly’s Planning and Development Committee, Executive Nominations Committee, and Regulation Review Committee. He also serves on the Legislative Management and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Sen. Fasano, a New Haven-based attorney, earned an undergraduate degree from Yale University, a law degree from Quinnipiac Law School, and an L.L.M. Degree in Taxation from Boston University Law School.
Sen. Fasano has selected Sen. Kevin Witkos (R-Canton) to serve as Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore. Sen. Witkos, who will begin his fourth term in the State Senate, represents the 8th Senatorial District, which includes the communities of Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, Granby, Hartland, Harwinton, New Hartford, Norfolk, Simsbury and Torrington. Prior to being elected to the State Senate, Senator Witkos served three terms in the State House of Representatives.
In 2012, Sen. Witkos joined the Community Relations division of Northeast Utilities after a 28-year career in law enforcement. He had previously served as a sergeant in the Canton Police Department. Sen. Witkos along with his wife Esther are the owner/operators of Wilson’s Pub in the Collinsville section of Canton.
“Sen. Witkos will be an excellent Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore,” Sen. Fasano said. “He has a wealth of experience – not only in state government policy-making, but also in the private and public sectors. Sen. Witkos cares deeply about our state’s future, and he has great ideas on how to make Connecticut a better state in which to live, work and raise a family.”