Vying to represent Newtown

NEWTOWN -- Less than a week after state Rep. Chris Lyddy announced he would not seek re-election, the race for the 106th General Assembly seat is taking shape.

Lyddy, a Democrat who has represented the town in the state Legislature for about four years, said Monday he's taken great pride in serving Newtown, but it's time for him to focus on his own professional pursuits.

On Wednesday, Republicans gathered to nominate Mitch Bolinsky, who is serving his first term as a member of Newtown's Legislative Council.

Democrats, meanwhile, were scheduled to meet Thursday night to nominate their candidate in the race.

Lisa Romano, a local real estate agent, has put her name in the hat for the Democratic nomination.

According to Herb Rosenthal, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee's Candidate Committee, while some people have expressed an interest, Romano is the only person he knows of that will be seeking the nomination.

Romano, who has worked as tutor at a Stamford middle school and has an autistic son, said, "I recognize the difficulties people with disabilities and health issues face as they try to navigate the system and find the services they need. I want to help them."

Romano added that as a real estate agent she has also seen, firsthand, the effects of the economy.

She said the state needs to do more to create jobs that will support families by encouraging innovation in manufacturing, energy and transportation.

Bolinsky, who said he was preparing for a run even before Lyddy announced he would not seek re-election, added that he looks forward to meeting with Romano and discussing the issues.

He said that he's been very active in the community for more than a decade and the timing was right to seek a position in the Legislature.

"I know this community, I love this community and I don't believe we are getting our fair share from Hartford," Bolinsky said.

He added that given the Democrats' dominance in Hartford, there needs to be a balance of power.

"We have to start living within our means and stop depending on the taxpayers as the personal piggy bank for the Democratic incumbency," Bolinsky said.

dperrefort@newstimes.com; at 203-731-3358