Your Elected Officials
Harwinton First Selectman Mike Criss - 860.485.9051
Michael R. Criss was elected 1st Selectman in 2011, upsetting and unseating a 2 term Democrat by a mere 30 votes. Mike hit the ground running and is now in his 8th term, where he has led Harwinton into being one of the few, continuously Republican-led municipalities in the state of Connecticut. During his tenure, Harwinton has grown to be a 'deep-red' town, where Republicans now consistently win municipal elections by almost 2 to 1 margins - a rare feat in CT that he and the HRTC hopes to change by spreading our wisdom and resources across the Constitution State.
He has spent the better part of two decades proving that good government is entirely possible -transparent, efficient, and firmly on the side of taxpayers. Mike's steadfast leadership has led to Harwinton becoming a hidden gem in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut that people crave to live in due to its low taxes, rural characteristic charm, top-knotch school system, and so much more.
As the longtime leader of Harwinton, Mike has always made himself available to everyone and addressed their concerns in a timely and respectful manner.
Mike is a fifth-generation resident of Harwinton, and a man whose family roots, work ethic, and civic duty are inseparable from the community he grew up in. He is a father of two teenage boys and a licensed master plumber who ran his family’s local plumbing business before pursuing a career in public service. He graduated with high honors from Oliver Wolcott Technical School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing from Salve Regina University, graduating Cum Laude.
He was first elected First Selectman of Harwinton in 2011 and has since sought reelection seven times, each time earning the trust of his neighbors through demonstrated results rather than promises. Over those years, he has cut taxes, modernized town services, secured millions in grants, and launched programs that still serve residents today.
In addition to being the longtime First Selectman, he also is a Justice of the Peace, volunteer firefighter, Animal Control Officer, and much more as a hands-on community builder.
Amongst everything while successfully serving as the Town's Chief Executive Officer, Mike has also been the leading force for local municipalities in the State Assembly in Hartford, by testifying in person, verbally, and in writing for and against countless pieces of legislation that benefit the overall wellbeing of Connecticut constituents.
As a result of this successful leadership, he has decided to take it to the next level and with the full support of CT Republican leadership to bring to bring his enthusiastic skills to the State Senate by running for the CT-8 Senate seat that includes the towns of Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, Hartland, New Hartford, Norfolk, Simsbury, and portions of Granby, Harwinton, and Torrington. His website can be located at: https://www.mikecriss.com
Senator Henri Martin: 31st District - 800.842.1421
Chief Deputy Senate Republican Leader Henri Martin was reelected to serve his 5th term in November 2022 and is proud to continue representing Connecticut’s 31st Senatorial District which includes Bristol, Harwinton, Plainville, Plymouth and Thomaston.
Senator Martin serves as the Ranking Member on the Commerce and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committees as well as the Transportation Committee and the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee. Sen. Martin serves as a voting member on the State Bond Commission.
In 2019, Sen. Martin was named the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut State Senator of the Year in recognition of his strong support of the trucking industry and for his leadership in the fight against putting congestion-price tolls on Connecticut’s interstate highways.
In 2019, Sen. Martin was named a “Plainville Community Hero” by the Plainville Community Schools for his efforts on behalf of students, faculty and staff.
State Representative John Piscopo: 76th District - 860.240.8700
State Rep. John E. Piscopo is an established leader within the House Republican caucus and a tireless worker for the towns of the 76th District: Burlington, Harwinton, Litchfield and Thomaston.
Rep. Piscopo serves as Chief House Republican Whip. He was reappointed to the leadership position by incoming House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora for the 2025-2026 legislative sessions.
As a Chief Whip, Representative Piscopo’s duties involve working with other members of the House Republican caucus to ensure they understand and support important GOP legislative initiatives. Before being named Chief Whip, he served as an Assistant Minority Leader.
Rep. Piscopo was reappointed to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee as well as the Energy & Technology Committee for the upcoming two-year term. He will also serve on the Environment and Legislative Management committees.
Rep. Piscopo has formerly served on the Appropriations, Executive and Legislative Nominations, General Law, and Public Safety committees as well as the select committees on Housing and Children.
During the 2014 legislative session, Rep. Piscopo worked to get landmark legislation passed which designated the town of Thomaston as an Enterprise Zone, which supports economic growth and development.
Rep. Piscopo also was a co-sponsor of the Open Space Law, which seeks to preserve 21 percent of Connecticut’s land areas as open space for the enjoyment of future generations.
Rep. Piscopo is a 1973 graduate of Thomaston High School. He received a B.A. Degree in 1977 from Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, majoring in History and Political Science. Rep. Piscopo served as a legislative intern to then-state Sen. Richard C. Bozzuto in 1976.
He is a former member of UNICO of Watertown. He also has done volunteer work for the Thomaston Opera House. He was an early supporter and volunteer in the organization of Thomaston’s recycling program.
Rep. Piscopo is married to Patricia (DeBlois) Piscopo.