A native of Waterbury, he is a former partner with the Hartford office of Day Pitney, Connecticut's largest law firm.

Caligiuri took a leave of absence from his law practice and served full-time for the remainder of his predecessor's term, which ended on December 31, 2001.

Caligiuri's 2006 state senate victory was a rare bright spot for Connecticut's Republicans taking a previously Democratic seat.

[6] On January 22, 2008 a special session was held which passed laws declaring home invasion a Class A felony and reforming the parole board.

On May 21, 2010, Caligiuri received the state Republican Party's endorsement at its convention by winning 68% of the delegate votes on the first ballot.

On August 10, 2010, Caligiuri defeated challengers Justin Bernier and Mark Greenberg in the Republican primary.