Signed contract with local contractor to re-do my driveway. Contract has start date of June 19. He took down payment

You would most likely be able to claim your down payment return but not necessarily the total amount of contract, since you didn't pay that yet. Now, a contract may also have exclusions or clauses that talk about delays in work or what might justify a late start. Did you contact the contractor? If you can prove consumer fraud, you may be entitled to more than your down payment, for instance attorney fees and court fees if you go to court. But the most likely result would be getting your down payment returned plus perhaps other incidental expenses.