Tony Hwang


Tony Hwang is a residential real estate agent for William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty and serves as the state senator for the 28th District. Previously, Hwang served as a state representative for the 134th District in the Connecticut General Assembly. Hwang became a state representative in 2008 and won re-election in 2010 and 2012. He is the assistant Senate Minority Leader.
In April 2014, Hwang ran for the 28th State Senate District. His Democratic opponent was 133rd District State Rep. Kim Fawcett. Hwang was endorsed by State Senator John McKinney. McKinney vacated the Senate seat to run for governor, but subsequently lost in the Republican primary to Tom Foley. On November 6, 2014, Hwang won the State Senate seat for the 28th District after receiving 55 percent of the votes. In 2016, Hwang received re-election endorsements from Robert H. Steele, John Kasich, Pat Llodra the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, and The National Federation of Independent Business among others.

Biography

Hwang was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, after his parents fled the communist government in mainland China as teenagers and re-settled in Taiwan. The family emigrated to Watertown, New York, when Hwang was approximately nine years old. His family's first residence in the United States was in a federally subsidized housing project until his family moved to Syracuse, NY approximately three years later. Hwang began his education in the US, not able to speak or read the English language. Hwang started in remedial English as a second language curriculum during his initial years in America. It was through the inspirations and motivation of his parents and the caring and counsel of great teachers that he succeeded academically by graduating from Corcoran High School in the Syracuse Public School system and later from Cornell University with a B.S. Degree in Labor Relations and Organizational Behavior.
Hwang's first job was working in his family's restaurant in Syracuse, New York throughout his teenage years. After graduating college, he joined United Technologies' corporate training program in Hartford, Connecticut. He started and built a retained executive search business in the area of physician recruitment and emerging technologies before becoming a commercial and residential realtor.
Hwang has lived in Fairfield and has volunteered and served in community and non-profit organizations and boards such as: Center for Family Justice, Operation Hope, The Kennedy Center of Connecticut, veterans groups and interfaith charities.
Hwang and his wife Grace are the parents of a daughter and son.

2019 Fairfield CT Election Day Controversy

Hwang reportedly got into an argument Tuesday, November 5th, 2019 with a high school student volunteer at Fairfield's District 1 polling place. The exchange allegedly got heated, bringing the student to tears and prompting a Facebook post from her mother that circulated on social media. Hwang claims that he later apologized.

2016 CT State Senate Campaign and Election

Hwang ran for re-election in 2016 to retain his seat as state senator for the 28th district, winning against Democrat Philip Dwyer's with 58% of the vote, with 22,152 total votes. In his acceptance speech, Hwang stated, "Win or lose, there is no shame because we've done it the right way with integrity and focusing on issues that impact Connecticut," and that he believed he won because his constituents know that he has demonstrated a commitment to community, "It's not a slogan."
During 2016, Hwang was a steadfast supporter of Presidential candidate John Kasich of Ohio, stating "Governor Kasich is the only Presidential candidate with wide appeal to Connecticut republicans." In March of that year, Hwang was named Chairman of Kasich for America's CT Presidential campaign, after an endorsement from him.
Hwang hosted Presidential Town Hall meetings for Governor Kasich at Sacred Heart University on April 8, 2016 and Glastonbury High School on April 22. Governor Kasich endorsed Hwang for re-election to State Senate.

2014 Investigation of Public Campaign Funds Use and Disclosure

As the Republican ranking member of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, the Connecticut voted and authorized an investigation of State Rep. Tony Hwang on September 16, 2014, over an allegation of misuse of campaign funds
The investigation was authorized by the Connecticut Commission upon reviewing complaints and submitted materials from Town of Fairfield's Democratic Town Committee. The complaint alleges State Rep. Tony Hwang did not disclose the purchase of supplemental campaign materials, essentially augmenting the closely monitored public funding of a campaign, with a particular focus on State Rep. Tony Hwang logo-ridden apparel and large signs serving as advertising on Fairfield golf courses, to which Hwang stated that the logo-ridden apparel belonged to himself, and that the large signs were from a prior election, which is permitted.
State Rep. Tony Hwang accused the Fairfield Democratic Town Committee as trying to distract the electorate. No public discussion about conflict of interest between the Committee's investigation and State Rep. Tony Hwang's legislative role has emerged to date.

Political positions

In 2012, State Rep. Tony Hwang was recognized in a new class of "First 100 Plus" Men for their leadership in fighting domestic violence by the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The statewide event, held at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell, gave the organization an opportunity to reflect on the positive legislative changes that have taken place in preventing domestic violence and honored those who have made significant contributions to that effort, while also recognizing the tremendous work ahead in ending domestic abuse.

Awards

State Rep. Tony Hwang received the 2014 "Champion of Youth" award given annually by the Connecticut Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs at its annual legislative breakfast at the State Capitol on February 27, 2014.
The Bridgeport Regional Business Council recognized State Representative Tony Hwang with the AT&T Regional IMPACT Legislator Award on June 3, 2014.
The League of Conservation Voters endorsed State Rep. Hwang for the 28th Senate District on August 13, 2014.

Legislative highlights

As of 28 June 2014, Hwang has introduced thirty-three bills in the Connecticut General Assembly.

2015 Budget position

State Rep. Tony Hwang, R-134th District, voted along party lines against the Connecticut state budget that was ultimately passed. Representative Hwang was a strong supporter of a different package referred to as the Honest and Responsible Alternative budget introduced by Representatives Cafero, Klarides, Candelora, Williams and Miner. Both budgets were balanced budgets due to the requirements of the state constitution. The Rep. Hwang-supported alternative focused on cuts in social services, which has been in conflict with Hwang's public positions of support for these areas:
State Rep. Tony Hwang served the Transportation Committee for the 2009-2010 session. In 2011, Rep. Hwang resigned the Transportation Committee assignment and joined the Government Administration and Elections Committee for both the 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 terms. He has not served on Transportation Legislative Committees since 2010.
A Metro-North Railroad passenger train derailed in Hwang's home town of Fairfield in 2013. The accident saw eight passenger cars derail, left 46 people injured with no fatalities. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded the accident was due to track infrastructure failures. In March 2014, Rep. Hwang issued a press release to say, "he will fight for 'action' and demand that Fairfield County commuters get the proper funding for transportation improvements from Hartford."
In May 2014, Rep. Hwang voted against the 2015 bond authorization for state infrastructure investments. His vote against the bill was consistent with seven other legislators. Republican and Democratic leadership voted for the bill as well as 92 Democrats and 44 other Republicans. The bill was passed and signed by the Connecticut governor. The bond package's transportation infrastructure investments included $42M for bus and rail facilities and equipment, $10M for bridges, $5.4M in highway and bridge renewal equipment, $3M for improvements on the Merritt Parkway, $10M for a federal mandated asset management plan and $60M for investments in local roads.

Environmental record

State Rep. Tony Hwang, R-134th District, was a member of the Legislative Environment Committee in 2011 and 2012. The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters scored Hwang 57% in 2011 and 63% in 2012 for voting in favor of top environmental legislation in Connecticut. He ranked 110th out of 151 Connecticut State Representatives with a Lifetime Score of 80% as of the latest 2014 scorecard. Environmental legislation that Hwang has supported has included improved labeling for Genetically Modified Organisms foods and Mattress Recycling. Environmental legislation that Hwang has voted against included Reducing Phosphorus in State Waters and a bill focused on Chemicals of High Concern to Children.

Storm sandy cleanup

Tony participated in the Fairfield Beach area cleanup effort, along with other volunteers and local businesses, after 2012's Hurricane Sandy. The effort had started by three young friends, Katie Boland, Lindsey Morton and Kelly Niznansky.

Position and voting record on net neutrality

Senator Hwang believes Net Neutrality is a federal issue, citing concerns that Connecticut could become subject to litigation over whether it has the jurisdiction to regulate an interstate resource.
Senator Tony Hwang, R-28th State Senate District, serves as a member of the Energy and Technology Committee, whose members are from both the House and Senate. On March 28, 2018, Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme and co-chairman of the Energy and Technology Committee, used his authority to split the committee and allow only the four senators to vote on a draft of Net Neutrality legislation pending in the committee. Democrats have a majority in the committee when House members are included; by splitting the committee, only the Senate membership was allowed to vote. The final vote was along party lines with the two Democrats voting for the bill and two Republicans voting against. Senator Tony Hwang voted against the bill.