Zani Imetovski in Seymour Monday.
Zani Imetovski, 23, made his announcement to about 20 fellow Democrats at a party meeting in Seymour Town Hall.
“I think as a town, I think as a community, we have to re-engage,” Imetovski said during an approximately three-minute speech. “We have to redevelop what we see as how to improve our community.”
Imetovski is young, but his new campaign already has seasoned political vets behind it.
He said his campaign co-chairs are Paul Roy, a former First Selectman and current member of the Board of Selectmen, and Rep. Theresa Conroy, who represents Beacon Falls, Seymour and parts of Derby in the state legislature.
Imetovski’s announcement brought a loud round of applause from his fellow Democrats Monday.
But he is not the official challenger to First Selectman Kurt Miller until the Dems formally nominate him. That could happen when they caucus on July 15.
Imetovski was born and raised in Seymour.
His dad owns Zani’s Pizza on Wakelee Avenue in Ansonia — where Imetovski started working in his early teens. His mom owns a beauty salon next to the pizzeria.
He is the oldest of three children. His two younger sisters are Zana, 12 and Suzana, 11.
This is not Imetovski’s first run at political office. He ran an unsuccessful bid for the Board of Selectmen in 2013, receiving the least amount of votes.
But he’s been on the Seymour Democratic Town Committee for four years, and was elected treasurer in January.
He was the campaign coordinator and treasurer for Conroy’s successful re-election bid in 2014.
Conroy praised Imetovski for getting involved at a young age. She pointed out he is one of three new young members of the town’s Democratic committee.
She said running for public office isn’t easy, given the criticisms leveled at candidates.
“I know in your heart, you are just so dedicated to this town, I am just 100 percent behind you,” Conroy said.
The audio clip below contains a portion of Imetovski’s remarks from Monday:
Imetovski also interned for U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal in Washington immediately after receiving his political science degree in 2014.
He was president of the student government association during his senior year at the University of New Haven.
Imetovski graduated from Seymour High School in 2010.
“I have a good read of what the town needs and what we have to go for, and I’m surrounded by people with experience,” Imetovski told the Valley Indy Monday. “My youth is something that can change the dynamic in a town like ours. Sometimes we need fresh perspectives, a different way of looking at something.”
Imetovski is currently employed at the state capitol as an assistant clerk for the committee on public health.
Miller, a Republican, has already announced his intention to seek a third, two-year term as Seymour First Selectman. The Democrats did not nominate a candidate to oppose him in 2013.
Imetovski said it is going to be a tough campaign.
“I’m going to go door-to-door and talk to people,” he said. “I was born and raised here. I’m going to spread the message the old fashioned way.”
When asked if he would be willing to debate Miller before Election Day, Imetovski said:
“Absolutely.”
