Christina Ayala gets sworn in at Capitol

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- A Bridgeport State Representative who created controversy after being arrested twice since the primary in August is now a Connecticut office holder.

Christina Ayala was sworn in this morning at the State Capitol.

Ayala was actually supposed to be in court Wednesday on a breach of peace charge, but instead she was in Hartford getting sworn in to her new seat in the State House of Representatives. She told News 8 she's focused on the future.

After the pledge of allegiance was recited and the star spangled banner sang, Ayala entered the House chamber to join her 150 colleagues in getting sworn in at the state Capitol.

"Words can't say the feelings that I have," she said. "I'm excited I don't have too many words, I'm just breathtaken."

It's the first time the state rep. from Bridgeport talked to News 8 since she was arrested twice after winning the Democratic primary. She faces hit-and-run and domestic violence charges, which have led some top Bridgeport democrats to ask her to step aside, a request she ignored.

"What made you hold onto your seat amidst all the charges," News 8's Ali Reed asked.

"My passion and my hard work," she replied. "Also I have to thank the 128th district, the constituents have continued encouraging me, motivating me, I've received mail and people just telling me please continue forward and that's where my heart is and thank God I'm here."

Her family was there to support her, including her mother, the Democratic Registrar of Voters in Bridgeport.

"Do you think her decision to stay in despite the charges was a good one," asked Reed.

"Absolutely," replied Santa Ayala, mom.

"What advice did you have for her when she was making that decision," asked Reed.

"Your children reach a certain age and obviously they're going to make decisions on their own, and all we can do is advise and my advice to them has always been do what your conscience dictates," her mother replied.

Ayala says she's hoping to use her new position to help curb violence in her district.

"I am hoping to work with my colleagues and see what they're thinking, how we can get better control, what's going on with our youth," Ayala said.

When News 8 asked Ayala if she had any regrets about how the past played out she said she always moves forward and learns from her mistakes.

She will be back in court next month for the hit-and-run charges, and then in March for the breach of peace charge that was originally scheduled for Wednesday.