NAUGATUCK — There will be no drama Election Day in the 131st and 70th house districts.
State representatives David Labriola and Rosa Rebimbas, both Republicans, are unopposed in their bids for re-election.
Labriola, 54, is going into his seventh term representing the 131st District, which covers Naugatuck, Oxford and Southbury.
Labriola, a Naugatuck native who now lives in Oxford, is an attorney with offices in Naugatuck. He was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2002, following in the footsteps of his father, Gerald, who served as a state senator.
Labriola said the influence of his parents played a large role in him seeking public office more than a decade ago and is the driving force as to why he continues to want to serve.
“My parents always stressed public service growing up and the position of state representative affords me the opportunity to give back to my community,” he said.
Labriola said being a state representative is a year-round job. While he’s not in the midst of a race, Labriola said he’s still out in the district working to help constituents.
“This is the most gratifying part of my job — helping people cut through the red tape of the state bureaucracy,” he said.
This is the second consecutive election Labriola and Rebimbas have been unopposed.
“It’s certainly something I do not take for granted at all,” Rebimbas said.
Rebimbas added being unopposed makes her continue to want to work to earn the trust of her constituents and the honor of representing the 70th District.
Rebimbas, 38, is a Naugatuck native and an attorney with offices in the borough. She was first elected to represent the 70th District, which covers Naugatuck, in a 2009 special election.
Rebimbas said she chose to seek re-election “to continue my advocacy for my hometown and its residents.”
Labriola said his priority for the coming legislative session is to turn Connecticut into a business-friendly state.
“I intend to team up with a Republican governor to create a business-friendly environment, which will create jobs and promote economic growth in Connecticut,” he said.
Rebimbas said her top priorities remain the same as when she was first elected — jobs, creating a business-friendly environment in the state, the budget and taxes. She added her priorities are also any issues that arise that impact individual residents in her district or the community as a whole.
Rebimbas said it has been an honor serving the residents of Naugatuck and urged residents to reach out to their legislators if they ever need anything.
“That’s what we’re there for,” she said. “We’re their public servants.”
