Zimmer to seek Democratic nomination in 30th state Senate District

BROOKFIELD -- Not long ago it was the site of the Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce.

But after that organization transitioned into the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, that vacant space at 499 Federal Road became the Brookfield Democratic Town Committee headquarters nearly three years ago.

It has become a permanent site, which has hosted U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal ((D-Greenwich)) state Comptroller Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford) and former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin.

Current Brookfield Democratic Town Committee Chairman Shannon Riley recently told Patch.com that the headquarters “has made a huge difference. It is our hub. It is our privilege. Previous Democratic Town Committees in Brookfield have not had this.”

The walls are decorated with campaign lawn sighs for U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, Gov. Ned Lamont and other Democratic stalwarts.

The driving force behind establishing the headquarters was Aaron Zimmer.

He only moved to Brookfield about five years ago from New York City. But he promptly joined the local Democratic Town Committee, became its chairman less than a year later, and then opened the headquarters and directed the campaign of Steve Dunn when he reclaimed the first selectman’s position in 2023.

Zimmer, who operates a music record company based in New York City, has submitted campaign papers to run for the Democratic nomination in the 30th state Senate District, which stretches from Brookfield to Salisbury. The nominating convention will be held in May.

It has not elected a Democrat since 1978, when Litchfield attorney Joe Ruggiero captured the seat.

Zimmer will be making his second bid for the General Assembly. Two years ago, he canvassed neighborhoods via motor-scooter in the 107th state House District, which includes all of Brookfield and parts of Bethel and Newtown.

Dunn said he had never seen a legislative candidate campaign so ambitiously.

Incumbent Republican Marty Foncello, the former first selectman of Brookfield, prevailed, taking a second term

If Zimmer is nominated in May he would face state Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding of Brookfield, who recently held a kick-off event at Housatonic Brewing in New Milford.

New Milford Mayor Pete Bass has praised Harding’s constituent service and has noted that the senator helped secure a state Department of Transportation traffic audit which was a catalyst in making Route 7 safer.

Harding is now seeking state approval for a traffic light near the Willow Springs condominiums, where it is difficult to make a left turn.

The Northwest Corner of the District has trended more Democrat over the last 20 years.

However, the major population bases in the 18-municipality configuration are New Milford, which has 25 percent of the eligible voters, and Brookfield, which is divided between the 30th and 32nd state Senate districts. Many of the other municipalities in the district, which geographically is the largest in Connecticut, are rural towns or if they have larger populations, only part of the town is in the 30th District.

Harding easily defeated Justin Potter of Kent two years ago and Eva Bermudez Zimmerman of New Milford four years ago when the seat became vacant after Litchfield Republican Craig Miner retired.

Two years ago, when he launched his bid for the state House, Zimmer told Patch.com that two of his prime concerns are protecting the environment and preserving reproductive rights. He also said at that time that he supported increases taxes on the wealthy.

Kathleen Hoyt of Brookfield is serving as Zimmer’s campaign treasurer.