REDDING, CT – Former State Rep. John Shaban has announced his candidacy for re-election to the 135th General Assembly District seat he held for three terms from 2011 to 2017. Shaban did not run for a fourth term in 2016, opting instead to run for U.S. Congress against Jim Himes. The 135th District includes Easton, Redding and Weston.
“I will continue to focus on sensible solutions rather than symbolic gestures,” Shaban said. “While many in Hartford are great at spotting problems, too few pursue the fiscal policies needed to solve them. Talk is cheap, but great schools, good roads and a clean environment are not.”
For six years Shaban served on the Environment Committee as Ranking House Member, the Judiciary Committee, and the Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee.
Shaban was an active leader in the fight against wasteful government spending, unpredictable tax and regulatory policies that inhibit job growth, and unfunded state and federal mandates. Throughout his service in the state’s House of Representatives, Shaban helped prepare alternative budget proposals designed to reduce state spending while tackling Connecticut’s crippling unfunded pension liabilities.
“Our state’s poor fiscal policies have eroded our home values, job market and tax base,” said Shaban. “We can still dig ourselves out, but we need prudent leadership to change our course.”
Shaban continues to advocate for greater local control of education and land use, and opposes forced regionalization of schools and services. “Our communities thrive when we lead and govern at the local level first,” he said.
He also seeks the creation of a Special Transportation Fund Trustee “to protect the people’s money from political shell games” and thereby avoid tolls.
While serving in the House, Shaban championed legislation to: establish greater local control over cell tower placement (HB 6520); create the Small Business Express Program (PA 12-123);
secure mandate relief for high-performing schools (PA 13-108); provide tax relief for families of fallen first responders (PA 13-204); help unemployed veterans (PA 13-63); and expand early childhood education and reading initiatives (PA 14-39, 15-137).
As an environmental lawyer and House leader on the Environment Committee, Shaban also helped draft and pass legislation to: secure more open space (PA 12-152); create the State’s GMO labeling paradigm (PA 13-183); draft fracking waste controls (PA 14-200); require micro bead and pesticide phase outs (PA 15-5); launch the Long Island Sound Blue Plan (PA 15-66); and create several brownfield remediation programs (PA 14-88, 16-115).
After leaving office in 2017, Shaban also served on the Board of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, Best Buddies International, and several other charitable organizations.
Shaban is a 26-year practicing attorney, specializing in commercial and corporate litigation, and has an Environmental Law Degree. He is admitted in Connecticut and New York, all of the local federal courts, and the United States Supreme Court. Shaban has an “AV” peer and judicial rating (highest ethics and skills ranking), is a member of the ABA and Connecticut Bar Association, served as a Fact Finder/Arbitrator for the Connecticut Judicial Branch, and is a FINRA Arbitrator.
He has three sons, has been coaching youth football in Easton, Redding and Weston for over 15 years, and has served on numerous local boards and commissions.
