# Ryan Fazio

Ryan Michael Fazio (born March 27, 1990) is an American businessman and politician who is a member of the Connecticut State Senate for the 36th district. A Republican, he won election in 2021 following the resignation of Democratic member Alexandra Kasser.

## Early life and education

Fazio was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, a son of Michael and Madeline (née Gadaleta). His father, Michael A. Fazio, has been a former long-term partner of Arthur Andersen, LLP and managing director of Houlihan Lokey. He is of Italian descent.
Fazio grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut. He graduated from Greenwich High School in 2008 and subsequently earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Northwestern University in 2012.

## Professional career

Fazio spent most of his career in the commodities industry, with a focus on renewable fuels and agriculture. He is currently an investment advisor.

## Political career

Before being elected to the state Senate, Fazio was elected to the Greenwich representative town meeting. On August 17, 2021, Fazio defeated Democratic lawyer Alexis Gevanter of Greenwich in a special election to fill the 36th district seat, which Alexandra Kasser vacated two months prior. His election ended the Democratic supermajority in the State Senate. He was the Republican nominee for the same seat in the 2020 Connecticut State Senate elections. Connecticut's 36th district covers Greenwich and parts of Stamford and New Canaan.

## Political positions
### Abortion

Fazio has stated he is in favor of keeping abortion legal in Connecticut. In 2022, Fazio voted against House Bill 5414, which allows aspiration abortions to be performed by midwives or nurses without a doctor.
In 2023, Fazio, along with the majority the Republican Senate conference, voted in favor of House Bill 6820, which increases public access to birth control in Connecticut, and also protects licensed medical providers from having their licenses revoked for providing an abortion.

### Contraceptives

In 2023, Fazio co-authored a bill to expand contraception access in Connecticut by allowing certain trained pharmacists to prescribe oral contraception. The proposal was included in HB6768 and passed into law.

## Electoral history

2020 Connecticut State Senate 36th district :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Alex Kasser (Incumbent) | 29,133 | 51.40 |
| | Republican | Ryan Fazio | 27,570 | 48.60 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 56,703 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
2021 Connecticut State Senate 36th district special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ryan Fazio | 8,911 | 50.1% |
| | Democratic | Alexis Gevanter | 8,453 | 47.6% |
| | Independent | John Blankley | 408 | 2.3% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 17,778 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |
2022 Connecticut State Senate election, District 36 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ryan Fazio (incumbent) | 21,467 | 50.10 |
| | Democratic | Trevor Crow | 21,378 | 49.90 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 42,845 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Personal life

Fazio is a resident of the Riverside section of Greenwich, Connecticut.