By Melissa Moore-Randall
Valentino Capobianco hopes his lifelong commitment to civic engagement will give him the boost needed to be elected to the 19th Suffolk District Representative seat of former Speaker Robert DeLeo.
Valentino Capobianco.
A Winthrop resident and member of the Winthrop School Committee, Capobianco sees both his Winthrop roots as making him the man he is today and the influence of his parents and grandfather. “My experiences growing up in Winthrop definitely made me the man I am today. My mother, a registered nurse who specializes in substance abuse treatment, instilled in me compassion for people going through a difficult time in their lives and a willingness to lend a hand and help them get back on their feet. My father, a state employee, taught me the importance of active civic engagement in my community. Growing up, I’m pretty sure I volunteered on every campaign possible in Winthrop. Some of my earliest memories are holding signs early in the morning, talking to voters, and making sure people got to the polls and cast their ballot. These lessons are definitely what led me to work in State Government and run for positions on the Winthrop School Committee and Democratic State Committee – both of which I still hold to this day. My Grandfather, “Noni”, was without question the biggest influence in my life aside from my parents. He was an immigrant to this country, a victim of child labor, and somebody who didn’t have the opportunity to get an education. Through his dogged persistence and perseverance through the worst kinds of adversity, he was able to build a successful small business and a better life for his family that followed. Noni’s most valuable lesson wasn’t about hard work though, it was about standing up for what’s right and always fighting for the underdog.”