Bill Zappone of Litchfield is shown with his wife, Natalie, at Tuesday's 66th District caucus, where he accepted the nomination to run for state representative.
Inspired by the thought of Craig Miner running unopposed in the 66th District state representative race, Bill Zappone of Litchfield has thrown his hat into the ring.
Zappone on Tuesday accepted the Democratic nomination to face Miner, a Republican, in November. His nomination was approved unanimously during the 66th District Democratic caucus at La Cupola Restaurant in Bantam.
Zappone, 31, fills a hole that opened when the Democrats' original candidate, Nathaniel Peters-Kroll of Woodbury, withdrew in July after getting a job.
The 66th District includes Litchfield, Warren, Morris, Bethlehem and Woodbury, towns where Republicans hold majorities. Miner, of Litchfield, is seeking a sixth term.
A Litchfield resident for five years, Zappone is making his first bid for an elected office. He works in sales for Xerox and with his wife, Natalie, a fifth-grade teacher at the James Morris School in Morris, has three children: Anthony, 2, and twins Avery and Leah, 11 months.
"I'm in this to win and I'll dedicate as much time as I can to it," Zappone said "Fortunately I have a very understanding wife."
Zappone e-mailed Litchfield Democratic Town Committee Chairman William A. Conti after learning that Peters-Kroll had withdrawn. In his e-mail, Zappone complained about the lack of a candidate to face Miner.
"Craig Miner running without opposition bothered me," Zappone said. "Elections should never be uncontested."
Encouraged by Conti, Zappone eventually decided to seek the nomination.
"He's an impressive young guy with a lot of good ideas on how to move the state forward," Conti said. "This is about who can best represent the 66th District. This is the kind of guy we need to get involved. He already seems to have an understanding of the issues."
Addressing the caucus delegates, Zappone said he offers a fresh perspective and is open to new ideas, unlike Miner, who he said is detached from the needs of the public.
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