Donald Mastronardi

Donald Mastronardi was born in Cortland, New York. He earned a bachelor's degree from Ithaca College in 1998. His career experience includes working as a businessman.[1]

Donald Mastronardi has not yet completed [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

If you are Donald Mastronardi, click here to fill out [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out the candidate survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete [the profile publisher]'s Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's [the profile publisher] profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 32,000 candidates have taken [the profile publisher]'s candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

Help improve [the profile publisher] - send us candidate contact info.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I own the Dry Dock Bar & Grille, Dry Dock at Silvermine Golf Club, and Dry Dock's Smokin Aces at Oak Hills Golf Park. I have been married for 17 years and have 2 children, Mia 15 and Drew 13. We lived in Norwalk for about 15 years prior to moving to New Canaan. Our children started school at Silvermine Elementary before attending East Elementary and now Saxe and New Canaan High School.

I grew up in Cortland NY and graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Accounting before moving to CT to start my professional career. I have worked as a financial analyst with AIG Asset Management, Bristol Myers Squibb and Daymon Worldwide Marketing. In 2015, my wife and I decided to take over the Dry Dock because it was failing and about to go out of business. It was our favorite restaurant and we felt we had the experience and drive to remake the restaurant and return it to one of Norwalk's best. In just 6 years we were able to revitalize Dry Dock and add 2 additional locations. We employ over 45 people and are very active in the Norwalk and New Canaan communities.

I believe my financial background and straight talk will serve the people of New Canaan and Norwalk well. For too long the Democrats have run this state and put us on the verge of bankruptcy. We need leadership that understand politicians work for the people and not the other way around. We need a leader who will stand up to special interests and look to cut spending and taxes. Term limits needed!

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Make CT More Affordable by cutting taxes and taking on the State Unions and EversourceEliminate waste and inefficiency in government budgetBe an Independent voice who puts policies and the people ahead of party. Term limits!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am very passionate about fixing our deficits and long term debt. For 5 decades the Democrats have controlled the budget in this state and have put us on a path to bankruptcy. We need to bring common sense solutions to government and run it like I run my businesses, reward efficiency and hard work, eliminate waste, and work within a budget. We don't need career politicians, we need people who bring real world experience to government and make it work more efficiently and in favor of the taxpayers, not the politically connected. We need to address our long term debt issues and you don't accomplish this by giving out raises and bonuses to the very groups who are the cause of the debt! We need leadership that will balance our budget and make sure the taxpayers of CT can afford to live here. Government is too big, too inefficient and too wasteful. These gerrymandered districts only advance the one party rule, and in my case, we have a district that made up of 95% Norwalk and an opponent representing that who has never lived here, had kids in the school district and is only here when she is campaigning or pandering for votes.

https://vimeo.com/754042104 password: Don

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My father was always my biggest role model. He was kind, smart, passionate and loyal to his family and friends and well liked by everyone. He taught me that the best things in your life will always be family and friends and that money and success is great but remain loyal to your principles and to your loved ones. He taught me to always look to help people and lift up those that needed it most. He taught me to stand up for what is right and never apologize for trying to do the right thing. He taught me about leadership and that following a crowd is always the easy path but real leadership is looking for the right path even though it usually is the hardest.

https://vimeo.com/754042104 password: Don

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

There are many books I would recommend but my political philosophy is very simple:

Government works for the people and should be small and efficient so that people can keep more of their hard earned money and pursue what makes them happy. When our citizens are working 4-5 months of the year for the government that is wrong and theft. Politicians need to represent people and remember that government is there to help when needed, not be the answer to everything. We spend too much of our taxpayers money on waste and pie in the sky legislation. I can't think of a single program that government is involved in or created that is efficient, can you?

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty and willing to stand up for what is right even if it goes against your party. It is more important to represent your citizens and stand on your principles over party wishes. We need leadership that understands we work for the people and not the other way around. Too often career politician think they should be the ones who call the shots and dictate to the citizens how they will live.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Strong leader, principled, honest and willing to work across the aisle with like minded people. I am not afraid to call out BS and nonsense when I see it, regardless of which party pushes it.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

See above

What legacy would you like to leave?

My legacy are my children and I want them to see their father as someone who stands up for what he believes and fights hard to ensure that the "little guy" is being looked after. I believe you treat everyone with respect, regardless of color, religion, sexual preference or viewpoint. Be good a citizen who fights for what they believe in and works hard to accomplish their goals.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was 6 years old when my brother Mark passed away from cancer. It had a profound impact on my family and my parents. It is an experience that changed our family dynamics and had a profound effect on my childhood. As a parent I can't imagine losing either child and to have any parent go thru an event like that is traumatic and impactful. That is why I am a big supporter of cancer research and children's charities bc no parent should ever have to bury one of their children, especially because of cancer.

https://vimeo.com/754042104 password: Don

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was working for my father in his diner when I was 14. I held it for 2 years until he sold the business and it taught me from a very young age that you have to work hard to get ahead in life.

https://vimeo.com/754042104 password: Don

What is your favorite book? Why?

I don't have a favorite book, I read historical and biographies mostly.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Bond, James Bond.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Wagon Wheel--Darius Rucker

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I would say work/life balance has always been a struggle. I am very hard worker but I also like to volunteer my time coaching and being involved in different groups. I have had a hard time saying no to things because I am a very social person who probably takes on too much at one time.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

We should be Co Equal branches of government in which both sides look to put the best interests of the citizens ahead of the politically connected. Too often the legislature has thwarted their responsibility and ceded too much power to the Governor, especially during covid lockdowns. The legislature should be taking the lead on policy making and the Governor should be tasked with enforcing those policies.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Our debt is the gravest and greatest challenges we face over the next several decades. One party rule has seen Democrats make the state of CT the second most indebted state in the country. Special interest and unsustainable giveaways to unions has put us on a path towards bankruptcy. What did the Democrats do this past year, they gave unions raises and bonuses that will cost taxpayers 1.9 billion over 4 years and added to long term liabilities. Democrats are in the pocket of the state unions because they put money into their campaigns and keep them in power. We need to make union campaign donations illegal because it is a severe conflict of interest and the taxpayers of this state pay the price. Unions shouldn't be making 30% more than the private sector with unprecedented job security.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

I like the system of government we have because it has checks and balances.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, I think it is beneficial for legislators to have real world work experience in the private sector, not extensive government and political experience. We don't need career politicians we need legislators that do a few terms and move along and let others run for office. Career politicians are the problem, not the solution. We need people that bring real world experiences from all fields, business, healthcare, education, trades, etc. Political service is meant to be a volunteer duty and honor to serve your follow citizens. Too often politicians think the people work to serve them and it should be the other way around.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Politics is a relationship game and I believe in building relationships with those legislators that have a record of working across party lines. Because of 1 party rule we have too many politicians on one side who think they can ram thru and smear the other side because they have held power for so long. We need leadership who is willing to work across party lines but also who stand up to the political corruption and partisanship we have seen for too long.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Redistricting is one of the biggest scams we have in our political system. When politicians are in charge of choosing their districts it only leads to corruption and helps create career politicians. Redistricting should be an independent, non political group who sets up districts that make sense geographically and eliminates heavy populations of one party to another. If we want to eliminate the extremes from our politics you need districts that are made up of people who actually live in their communities and have to answer to them.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Finance/Bonding/Revenue Committee

Higher Education & Employment

Labor and Public employees committee

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Ronald Reagan and John F Kennedy are two presidents that I admire. Both men were outstanding communicators and had government philosophies that I believe in. Make government smaller and more efficient and let Americans have the freedom to make their own choices.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I am only focused on representing District 142. We need leadership and representation, not career politicians.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

There are numerous stories that have had memorable and impactful impression on me. The one in particular is a father who lost his son to a drug overdose. He reached out to me and explained that he had voted for Lucy Dathan in the past based on her promise to vote against legalizing of cannabis. She made a promise to this man who lost his son to a drug overdose and then voted in favor of legalizing cannabis.

To lie to voters you are supposed to represent is something I will never do. I will always be honest and forthcoming with voters whether they agree or disagree with me. I would rather be honest and lose then lie and win.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I am not much of a joke teller

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

No, the legislature is elected to lead not grant the use of emergency powers to another part of our government. We have co equal branches for a reason and when you cede power to one part over the other that leads to corruption and abuse of power.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, as long as you don't compromise on your core principles. I will always approach any bill or debate with a limited government and fiscal responsibility mindset. Our citizens and small businesses have been taken advantage of by career politicians in this state. I will not compromise if any bill raises taxes or puts government and special interests ahead of our citizens or small businesses.

We have had 1 party rule in this state and they have never been willing to work or compromise with Republicans except in 2017 when 5 Democrats voted with Republicans on our budget that has led to the surpluses and caps on spending we are seeing today.