Middletown GOP Picks Former Rocky Hill Councilman For the 9th District

Middletown on Monday nominated former Rocky Hill councilman Joseph Dinunzio to challenge entrenched Democrat Paul Doyle for the General Assembly's 9th District seat this fall. Doyle has served the district for three terms.

Dinunzio is "an excellent candidate and in my opinion will really give Senator Doyle a run for his money," Earle Roberts, a former Middletown councilman, said at Tuesday's Middletown Republican Town Committee meeting. "He's a great guy. He's got a lot between his ears politically and individually as well."

Roberts, a delegate to Monday's GOP nominating convention in Wethersfield, said, "The [Republicans] had a hard time finding a candidate and then (Dinunzio) threw his name forward."

Dinunzio had previously challenged Billy Ciotto for his senate seat back in 2002.

Doyle, who has almost 20 years experience in state politics, was unanimously nominated at a convention by the Rocky Hill Democratic Town Committee Monday night at the .

"I will try to work hard to get elected for another two years," he said in an interview with Patch Tuesday afternoon. Doyle has served six terms as a state representative and three terms as state senator.

With "the minimal improvement in the economy," Doyle said he plans to focus on another version of the proposed job bill, which seek to create new jobs for small businesses.

"He is marvelous," said Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Carol deBear about the longtime Rocky Hill politician.

No one came off the floor during either parties' conventions, so neither the Democrats or the Republicans are expecting a primary before the November elections.