Christopher D. Coutu (born August 28, 1976) is an American Army National Guard officer, who also served as a three-term municipal and state elected leader.
From 2006 to 2010, he served as the only elected Republican state or federal legislative official in southeastern Connecticut, representing the state's 47th House district.
Coutu had declared his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in May 2011. He was seeking to challenge third-term Congressman Joe Courtney, a Democrat, to represent Connecticut's 2nd congressional district. On May 10, 2012, he decided instead to run for the seat in Connecticut's 19th state Senate district being vacated by Edith Prague, a bid which was ultimately unsuccessful.Coutu locks up Senate race, Norwich BulletinCoutu for Senate, The Day, Paul Choiniere
Personal background Christopher Coutu was born and grew up in Norwich, Connecticut.
Education Coutu graduated from Norwich Tech High School with a certification in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in 1994. From 1998 to 2003, Coutu earned multiple university degrees, including an MBA from Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford. To fund college tuition, he worked at the Mohegan Sun casino and also in social services. In his online biography, he says he was the first in his family to earn a college degree.
Military service Coutu enlisted in the United States Air Force as an airman and completed the eight-month Avionics Guidance and Control Course at Keesler Air Force Base in 1995. He then served within the 16th Special Operations Wing out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, from 1995 to 1998.Bio Coutu 2010 Exploratory Committee After his active duty service, Coutu served in the Air National Guard from 1998 to 2008. He was deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch at the time of the September 11 attacks in 2001. In 2004, he achieved the rank of Technical Sergeant as a Journeyman Avionics Technician and a Craftsman Education and Training Manager for the 103rd Fighter Wing in East Granby, Connecticut.
In 2009, after serving in an enlisted uniform for 14 years, Coutu graduated from Officer Candidate School.August 17, 2009, Norwich Bulletin, Coutu Promoted Coutu now serves as a Major Officer in the Connecticut Army National Guard and leader on the National Guard Innovation Team. Coutu remains active within the veteran community as a member of the Disabled American Veterans, VFW, American Legion, ESGR, AMVETS and the Association of the National Guard. In 2009, Coutu led an effort to reorganize the Norwich Area Veterans Council,Norwich Bulletin, News Maker of the Day, Coutu Vice Commander a coalition of 20 veteran organizations in the region.
Professional career Since 2006, Coutu has worked as an Industrial Engineering Consultant for the military, government agencies, manufacturing, and healthcare industries. In 2015, he earned the Army Leadership and Excellence Award for the 1109th TASMG, which saved hundreds of millions of dollars. He continues to work as an army officer as a member of the National Guard Innovation team.
In 2004, Coutu moved to work as a federal GS employee within the Department of Defense's Department of Civilian Personnel Management Services,Department of Civilian Personnel Management Services where he visited 300 companies from Puerto Rico to Maine and worked with management and labor union members.
From 2002 to 2004, Coutu worked with his family's commercial fishing and trucking operation, Fitz-Sea.
AmericanWarrior In 2006, Coutu established AmericanWarrior.org. The non-profit supports veterans and patriotic events. The organization is supported through private donations and has coordinated and financed for 1130 World War II and Korean War veterans to visit their war memorials in Washington, D.C.
AmericanWarrior formed Operation Freedom Legacy in 2008, which brings veterans to schools and other organizations to promote patriotism, democracy, and volunteerism. Thousands of students and youth groups from New England and Britain have volunteered to participate in a letter-writing campaign to honor veterans.
In 2012, AmericanWarrior coordinated a series of presentations and rallies for Veterans. The first was January 26 in Simsbury, Connecticut.January 14, 2012, Avon News, Farmington Valley veterans invited to visit Washington
Community service In 2006, Coutu established Briansquest.com. The organization raised money for a Norwich resident to get a guide dog.June 16, 2006, Norwich Bulletin, Norwich Man Seeks Funds for Assistance Dog
Coutu is active with community organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Church, AHEPA, Taftville Volunteer Fire Department, Bully Busters, Taftville Lions, Civil Air Patrol, and the Greater Norwich Veterans and Winter Festival Parades. For his participation, the USAF has awarded him Outstanding Volunteer and Humanitarian medals. In 2008, Coutu received the University of Hartford's Humanitarian Award.
Family Coutu married Neringa Proskute Coutu in 2004; in 2010, the couple had a daughter.January 5, 2011 Coutu's Baby Recovering From Open Heart Surgery
Political career Coutu is active with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Grassroots East, SECTer, the Greater Norwich Chamber of Commerce, and the American Council of Young Political Leaders. In 2009, he joined a delegation of five nationally elected officials to explore the culture, politics, and government of Romania and Hungary.October 13, 2009, Norwich Bulletin, Coutu Visits Eastern Europe
Norwich alderman Coutu earned a seat as an alderman on the Norwich City Council in 2007.November 6, 2007, Norwich Bulletin, Norwich Election ResultsDecember 5, 2007, Norwich Bulletin, Norwich City Council During his tenure on the city council, he served on several committees, including the Board of Zoning Appeals, Mohegan Park Advisory, Public Works and Rehabilitation Review. He was the chairman for the Administrative Planning for Economic Development Committee.January 15, 2008, Norwich Bulletin, Norwich Development Panel Starts Work On February 7, 2008, Coutu stated, "It's the taxpayers' money," and led a bi-partisan effort to cap the annual tax increase.February 8 2008, Norwich Bulletin, Norwich aldermen hold special discussion over possible tax cap
Connecticut House of Representatives
He was first elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives November 5, 2008, Norwich Bulletin, Coutu Unseats Malone in 2008. Coutu's 2008 state house victory was a rareNovember 6, 2008, The Day, Upset Election Loss victory for New England Republicans, capturing a previously Democratic seat from a 14-year incumbent, Jack Malone. He won the election 54% (5,449) to 46% (4,605). In 2010, despite being outspent by 33%, he earned a second term with a 58% to 42% victory over Sprague First Selectwoman, Cathy Osten.November 3, 2010, The Day, Coutu defeats OstenOctober 25, 2010, The Day, Coutu, Osten 47th House District Race
As representative of Connecticut's 47th district, Coutu serves the City of Norwich and rural eastern towns of Canterbury, Scotland and Sprague, which are located in New London and Windham counties.
Coutu as the ranking member for the Insurance and Real Estate Committee in the Connecticut House of Representatives.January 24, 2011, Norwich Bulletin, Coutu Focuses on Business and Jobs He also serves on the Veterans and Commerce committees.January 21, 2011 Coutu focuses on Jobs and Small Business He previously served on the Judiciary, Human Services and Finance, Revenue and Bonding committees.
Since 2009, Coutu participated in or hosted three dozen forums on energy,March 20, 2009, Norwich Bulletin, Coutu & CL&P Hosting Energy Workshop sexting,November 19, 2009, The Day, Sexting, Parents warned about cellphone sexting capital punishment, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the state budget.December 14, 2009, The Day, Forum tonight on budgetMarch 29 2011, Norwich Bulletin, Budget ForumFebruary 24, 2010, Norwich Bulletin, Eastern CT Business Leaders
Connecticut State Senate campaign In May 2012, Coutu returned home from a three month Army training assignment.Coutu considering run for Prague's seat, would drop Second District race, The Day, J.C ReindlNorwich Bulletin, Coutu may run for State Senate Shortly after returning to Connecticut he transitioned to a state Senate campaign.
Coutu challenged Osten to a series of debates saying, "I am eager to debate my opponent anywhere and any time in front of anyone. I believe now as I did a month ago, the more people educated to the issues across the 19th, the better."Aug 16, 2012, Norwich Bulletin, Coutu challenges Osten to debates
On September 1, he asked Osten to join him and request the Governor end the inmate early release program. "This is part of a continuing trend of being soft on violent criminals," Coutu said. "This is a very dangerous slope."September 1, 2012, Bulletin, Coutu calls on end to inmate early release program He also mentioned as a convenience store clerk he was assaulted in 1994.
On October 20, 2012, The New London Day endorsed Catherine Osten over Christopher Coutu for the vacant State Senate seat in the 19th district. Just two days later, the Norwich Bulletin followed The Day's lead by endorsing Catherine Osten over Christopher Coutu saying his lone vote against the jobs bill "epitomizes an unwillingness to compromise and it's the kind of political posturing that he has exhibited many times in his four years in the House, such as suing the governor and Democratic leadership alleging a violation of the State Constitution in enacting an unbalanced budget, having himself several weeks earlier done the exact same thing in voting for an unbalanced budget."
In October, The Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), Realtors PAC, Independent party and the National Federation of Independent Businesses October 2, 2012, Ameriborn News, Christopher Coutu endorsed by National Federation of Independent Businesses endorsed Christopher Coutu for election to the state Senate in Connecticut's 19th District.
"Most voters say jobs and the economy are their top issues," said John R. Rathgeber, CBIA president and CEO. "Connecticut clearly needs lawmakers who can restore business confidence in our state so that employers invest, grow and create jobs here. We believe Chris Coutu is committed to making Connecticut a better state in which to do business, which means more and better jobs for our residents."October 23, 2012, The Day, Coutu Receives CBIA Endorsement
On October 24, Coutu was named a "Legislative Hero" by the Yankee Institute.October 24, 2012, The Day, Coutu ranked high by Yankee Institute
On November 6, 2012, Catherine Osten defeated Christopher Coutu by a 51.6 to 48.4 margin marking the end of his campaign.
Controversies On October 26, the state of Connecticut's Elections Enforcement Commission began an investigation into whether or not Christopher Coutu improperly used funds from his aborted U.S. Congressional Campaign.
Congressional campaign Coutu announced that he was exploring a run for Congress in April 2011.March 22, 2011, Norwich Bulletin, Norwich Legislator Considers 2012 Campaign Six weeks later, he officially announced he would be a candidate for Connecticut's 2nd congressional district, running against Democratic Congressman Joe Courtney.May 6, 2011, The Day, Coutu Plans to Challenge CourtneyMay 5th 2011, Norwich Bulletin, Coutu Running For CongressJune 19, 2011, Face the State, Coutu Predicts State Democrats will Lead Courtney to Defeat
In November 2011, Coutu posted sixty billboard signs 14 months before the election.October 19, 2011, Norwich Bulletin, Hackett on PoliticsOctober 19, 2011, Norwich Bulletin, Coutu Gets Jump on 2012