Lino Costantini, a serial entrepreneur, business owner and community activist who’s spent 20 years on the Trumbull Police Commission, announced Tuesday his candidacy for state representative in the 123rd district, which covers the northern and most of the eastern sections of Trumbull.
Costantini, a Democrat, has lived in Trumbull since 1977, and served on the Town Council from 1983 to 1992. He was nominated for the seat in a convention earlier this month.
“Like a majority of the residents of Connecticut, I am disappointed and frustrated with our inability to pass progressive legislation,” Costantini said. “The people I speak to in my district are upset and so am I. I hope to make a difference.
“I have served on the town council for nine years, and spent 20 years as a Trumbull police commissioner,” Costantini added. “I was a local business owner for 28 years. I spent this time voting my conscience, and not just party lines.”
Costantini’s background is as a toolmaker, a trade he worked while attending night school.
In 1982, he co-founded Hamden Tool & Die Company, a precision tool company that built molds for the plastics industry. After building that company, he founded Hamden Medical Co. He holds two patents with the U.S. Patent Office for creating medical devices used for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Costantini served as president of both companies for 28 years before selling the medical company in 2008. He retired in 2014.
A native of Torrice, Frosinone in Italy, Costantini became a naturalized citizen in 1977 and moved to Trumbull the same year with his wife, Karen, and three children, David, Amy and Laura.
He is the proud grandfather of four grandchildren, two of which currently attend Booth Hill School in Trumbull.
“I have the experience and the temperament to be a good representative,” he said. I know our town, its people and our concerns. I have a good knowledge of public safety. I want to serve and I will make a difference for Trumbull.”