Brookfield Democrat Chairman Zimmer to run in 107th District

By Scott Benjamin

BROOKFIELD -- Brookfield Democratic Town Committee Chairman Aaron Zimmer has announced that he will seek the party's nomination in the 107th state House District, which the party has not carried since 1974.

If nominated at the convention in May , Zimmer will face Republican incumbent Marty Foncello, who was initially elected in 2022 in the district, which includes all of Brookfield, part of Newtown and the Stony Hill section of Bethel.

Zimmer, a small business owner who moved to Brookfield from New York City about three years ago, has received considerable praise for directing the party to victory in the 2023 municipal election.

The Democrats now have a permanent headquarters on Federal Road. During the election the party even had lawn signs posted regarding Republicans supporting their candidates for the Board of Selectmen.

Foncello, Brookfield's former first selectman, defeated Brookfield Zoning Commission member Phoebe Holmes in the 2022 election. The Democrats have not captured the seat since 1974 when Bethel attorney James Mannion was elected. He served one term.

Through the years the seat has been held by such Republicans as former Gov. M. Jodi Rell, former state House Speaker Fran Collins and current State Senate GOP leader Stephen Harding. Harding's predecessor, David Scribner, held the seat for nearly 16 years, the longest tenure in its modern history.