James Albis

James Albis
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
from the 99th district
In office
February 2011 – January 8, 2019
Preceded byMike Lawlor
Succeeded byJoseph Zullo
Personal details
Born1983 or 1984 (age 41–42)
PartyDemocratic

James M. Albis (born 1983 or 1984) is an American politician who served as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 99th district. A Democrat, he was first elected in a 2011 special election, serving until he resigned in 2019 after being appointed to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection by governor Ned Lamont.

Early life and education

Albis is the son of Michael and Jackie Albis. Michael Albis served as a Judge of Probate in East Haven. His grandfather, Francis Albis, was a doctor in the area.

Albis was born and raised in East Haven. Albis graduated from East Haven High School in 2002 and received a bachelor's degree in economics from New York University in 2006. He has a master's degree in environmental management from Yale University.

Political career

In January 2011, long-time Democratic representative Mike Lawlor resigned from representing the 99th district in Connecticut House of Representatives after governor Dannel Malloy appointed him to serve as the state's undersecretary for criminal justice policy and planning. Malloy scheduled the special election for the district, based in West Haven, for February 22. On January 11, West Haven's Democratic committee chose James Albis as the party's nominee, while the Republican committee chose Linda Monaco, a lawyer who had run for the seat in 2010.

This special election was held alongside eight others in the state, all caused by Democratic resignations. The state Republican Party attempted to make the elections a referendum on governor Malloy's proposal to raise taxes. However, they had limited success: only two of the legislative seats flipped. Albis narrowly defeated his Republican opponent, receiving about 51.7% of the vote.

Albis won reelection easily in 2012, defeating Republican Craig Cubellotti with about 68.5% of the vote.

Albis was challenged by Republican Stacy Gravino, the East Haven town clerk, in 2014. He won reelection with around 67.4% of the vote.

In 2016, Albis was challenged by Republican Steve Tracey, a bail bondsman and former professional wrestler who competed in the World Wrestling Federation under the name "Dave Paradise". On election night, Albis led Tracey by 14 votes, a margin that dropped to 11 following a recount. Albis attributed the narrowed margin to the appeal of Donald Trump in the concurrent presidential election, as Trump won the town of East Haven with around 54% of the vote.

Albis was challenged by Republican Robert Parente, a member of the East Haven town council, in 2018. He defeated Parente with about 58.2% of the vote.

During Albis's time in the legislature, he was a co-chairman of the Environment Committee. On January 8, 2019, Albis resigned from the legislature to serve as an advisor to the commissioner of energy and environmental protection in incoming governor Ned Lamont's administration. Republican Joe Zullo defeated Democrat Josh Balter in the special election to succeed Albis, the first time a Republican had won the 99th district since 1985.

Albis joined Graff Public Solutions, a lobbying firm, in November 2024.

Personal life

As of 2024, Albis lives in Middletown, Connecticut with his wife and son.

Electoral history

2011 Connecticut's 99th House of Representatives district special election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James M. Albis 1,195 43.39
Working Families James M. Albis 228 8.28
Total James M. Albis 1,423 51.67
Republican Linda Monaco 1,331 48.33
Total votes 2,754 100.0
Democratic hold
2012 Connecticut's 99th House of Representatives district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James M. Albis 5,386 62.46
Working Families James M. Albis 518 6.01
Total James M. Albis 5,904 68.47
Republican Craig Cubellotti 2,528 29.32
Independent Party Craig Cubellotti 191 2.22
Total Craig Cubellotti 2,719 31.53
Total votes 8,623 100.0
Democratic hold
2014 Connecticut's 99th House of Representatives district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James M. Albis 3,876 59.21
Working Families James M. Albis 343 5.24
Independent Party James M. Albis 190 2.90
Total James M. Albis 4,409 67.35
Republican Stacy Gravino 2,137 32.65
Total votes 6,546 100.0
Democratic hold
2016 Connecticut's 99th House of Representatives district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James M. Albis 4,565 45.65
Working Families James M. Albis 441 4.41
Total James M. Albis 5,006 50.05
Republican "Big" Steve Tracey 4,653 46.53
Independent Party "Big" Steve Tracey 342 3.42
Total "Big" Steve Tracey 4,995 49.95
Total votes 10,001 100.0
Democratic hold
2018 Connecticut's 99th House of Representatives district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James M. Albis 4,502 53.60
Working Families James M. Albis 384 4.57
Total James M. Albis 4,886 58.17
Republican Robert M. Parente 3,407 40.56
Independent Party Robert M. Parente 107 1.27
Total Robert M. Parente 3,514 41.83
Total votes 8,400 100.0
Democratic hold

Notes

  1. ↑ News coverage reported that Albis received 5,004 votes, winning by 9 votes, but Albis received 5,006 votes in the certified results published by the secretary of state.

References

  1. 1 2 "Secretary Merrill Receives the Resignation of State Representative James M. Albis". Connecticut Secretary of State. January 8, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Zaretsky, Mark (22 February 2011). "ELECTION: East Haven Democrat James Albis wins 99th District seat (video)". New Haven Register. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  3. 1 2 Zaretsky, Mark (18 December 2010). "First hopefuls declare interest in Lawlor's East Haven House seat". New Haven Register. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Larson, Andrew (28 August 2024). "Former state lawmaker, Lamont admin. official joins lobbying firm". Hartford Business Journal. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  5. ↑ Zaretsky, Mark (12 January 2011). "East Haven Dems, GOP choose candidates to replace Lawlor (video)". New Haven Register. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  6. ↑ Pazniokas, Mark (22 February 2011). "Democrats hold 7 of 9 legislative seats in special elections". CT Mirror. Archived from the original on March 4, 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Statement of Vote - February 22, 2011 Special Elections" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Statement of Vote - General Election - November 6, 2012" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  9. ↑ "East Haven Democrats throw weight behind incumbent James Albis in state representative race". New Haven Register. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  10. 1 2 "Statement of Vote - General Election - November 4, 2014" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 5, 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 Keating, Christopher (14 November 2016). "Rep. Albis Beats Ex-Pro Wrestler in Recount". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  12. 1 2 Kramer, Jack (14 November 2016). "East Haven Rep Survives Trump Wave, Holds Onto Seat Following Recount". CT News Junkie. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  13. 1 2 "Statement of Vote - General Election - November 8, 2016" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 27, 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  14. ↑ Sullo, Michelle Tuccitto (27 October 2018). "Albis, Parente offer different visions for 99th District". New Haven Register. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Statement of Vote - General Election - November 6, 2018" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 1, 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  16. ↑ Zaretsky, Mark (9 January 2019). "Connecticut state Rep. James Albis leaves legislature for state post". New Haven Register. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  17. ↑ Zaretsky, Mark (26 February 2019). "Republican Zullo defeats Democrat Balter in East Haven's 99th District House race". New Haven Register. Retrieved 4 April 2026.