Joseph J. Fauliso
Encyclopedia
Joseph John Fauliso was an American
politician
who was the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut from 1980 to 1991.
. He studied at Providence College
and then studied law at Boston University Law School. He married Ann-Marie Schwerdtfeger and they have one son, Richard.
in Hartford
and city and state judge before he was first elected into the Connecticut State Senate in 1966. Early in 1980, he told his close friend, governor Ella T. Grasso
, that he had decided not to seek reelection that year, after seven terms in the State Senate. Grasso then asked Fauliso to reconsider, because she needed him in the Senate for the final two years of her second term. He consulted with his family and close friends, and after a week told Grasso he would seek reelection. What he did not anticipate was that Grasso would resign on December 31, 1980, because she was dying from cancer. On that day, lieutenat governor William A. O'Neill became the new governor and Fauliso, as the newly reelected leader of the State Senate, automatically became Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut. Fauliso then stayed as lieutenant governor throughout the gubernatorial terms of O'Neill. They did not seek reelection in 1990 and served until January 9, 1991.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who was the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut from 1980 to 1991.
Early life
Fauliso was born in Stonington, ConnecticutStonington, Connecticut
The Town of Stonington is located in New London County, Connecticut, in the state's southeastern corner. It includes the borough of Stonington, the villages of Pawcatuck, Lords Point, Wequetequock, the eastern halves of the villages of Mystic and Old Mystic...
. He studied at Providence College
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
and then studied law at Boston University Law School. He married Ann-Marie Schwerdtfeger and they have one son, Richard.
Political career
Fauliso was an AldermanAlderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
in Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
and city and state judge before he was first elected into the Connecticut State Senate in 1966. Early in 1980, he told his close friend, governor Ella T. Grasso
Ella T. Grasso
Ella Grasso , born Ella Giovanna Oliva Tambussi, was an American politician, and first woman elected governor of Connecticut.-Biography:...
, that he had decided not to seek reelection that year, after seven terms in the State Senate. Grasso then asked Fauliso to reconsider, because she needed him in the Senate for the final two years of her second term. He consulted with his family and close friends, and after a week told Grasso he would seek reelection. What he did not anticipate was that Grasso would resign on December 31, 1980, because she was dying from cancer. On that day, lieutenat governor William A. O'Neill became the new governor and Fauliso, as the newly reelected leader of the State Senate, automatically became Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut. Fauliso then stayed as lieutenant governor throughout the gubernatorial terms of O'Neill. They did not seek reelection in 1990 and served until January 9, 1991.