Rochelle
The president of the Naugatuck Valley Young Democrats filed paperwork Tuesday (Feb. 13) to run for state representative in the 104th District this November.
Derby’s Kara Rochelle is the second candidate in the race to succeed Democrat Linda Gentile, who represented the district covering Ansonia and part of west Derby since 2004.
Republican Ansonia Alderman Joseph Jaumann announced his candidacy last week.
In a prepared statement, Rochelle said she hopes to follow in Gentile’s footsteps.
“I am proud to run to represent the people of Ansonia and Derby — I was raised in The Valley,” said Rochelle, who grew up in Seymour. “I come from a working-class family and was brought up to be both independent-minded and to never forget to look out for my neighbors and really show up for my community. We work hard out here and I will be someone that really listens and represents all of us.”
Gentile announced last month she would not seek re-election.
In a statement, Gentile said she is “delighted” to see Rochelle running for the seat.
“I have no doubt that Kara understands the economic challenges that both Ansonia and Derby face and she fully understands the hardships that most hardworking families of the district face, each and every day,” Gentile said. “As a lifelong Valley resident and young woman, I know Kara will represent all the people of the district very well.”
After Gentile announced her retirement, Rochelle quickly emerged as a possible candidate for the seat.
In the weeks since, she has been reaching out to Valley Democrats lining up support for a run.
In addition to Gentile, Rochelle’s campaign announcement included an endorsement from former Derby mayor Marc Garofalo, who now serves as town clerk.
“Kara has the ability to redefine what it means to be a Democrat in 2018 and is a return to the party’s blue collar roots. I totally support Kara and I hope everyone votes for her,” Garofalo said.
A former member of the Derby Ethics Board, Rochelle ran unsuccessfully for a seat on Derby’s Board of Apportionment and Taxation in 2017.
Rochelle founded the Naugatuck Valley Young Democrats last year.
The group played a key role in helping Mayor Anita Dugatto fend off a primary challenge from within her own party last year. However, Dugatto then lost the general election to Rich Dziekan, a Republican.
Rochelle has lived in Derby for the past five years.
She works as the administrator of Shabtai, a faith-based nonprofit affiliated with Yale University, handling day-to-day operations.
Her campaign announcement noted her grandmother, Connie Criscuolo, was the registrar of voters in Seymour for over 40 years and her father, Al Rochelle, served as a volunteer firefighter, captain, chief, fire commissioner, and is currently the New Haven County Regional Coordinator for Statewide Emergency Planning.
“I look forward to meeting everyone and hearing what you care about most so I can best bring Valley values to Hartford,” Rochelle said.
Rochelle said more information will be posted to a Facebook page for the campaign.
In an email Wednesday, Jaumann said he’s looking forward to “an exciting campaign on the issues.”
“There is so much a State Representative can do to support the economic revitalization of the valley, secure fair funding for our schools and ultimately protect the interests of our taxpayers,” he said. “I look forward to using my experience and skills as an alderman and professional litigator to fight on behalf of the 104th District.”
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