Founder of Valley Young Democrats seeks 104th seat representing Ansonia and Derby

Kara Rochelle Kara Rochelle Photo: Contributed Photo Photo: Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Founder of Valley Young Democrats seeks 104th seat representing Ansonia and Derby 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

DERBY — The head of the Naugatuck Valley Young Democrats, Kara Rochelle, has family roots steeped in community service, which is why she announced her candidacy to run for state office this week.

Rochelle, a Democrat and Derby resident, officially filed paperwork with the state to seek the 104th district legislative seat, which covers Ansonia and Derby. The seat has been held for the past 14 years by state Rep. Linda Gentile, who has decided not to seek re-election.

“I am proud to run to represent the people of Ansonia and Derby … I was raised in the Valley,” said Rochelle, 34, in a prepared statement. “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.”

Rochelle comes from a family with generations of folks who were longtime public servants in the Valley. Her grandmother, Connie Criscuolo served as registrar of votersin Seymour for more than 40 years, and her father, Al Rochelle, has served as a volunteer firefighter, captain, chief and fire commissioner in Seymour, and is currently the New Haven County Regional Coordinator for Statewide Emergency Planning.

Rochelle, a Seymour native, has Gentile’s full support.

“I am delighted to see such an energetic woman running for this seat,” Gentile said. “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. As a lifelong Valley resident and young woman, I know Kara will represent all the people of the district very well.”

Former Derby Mayor and current Town Clerk Marc Garofalo said Rochelle has his vote.

“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,” Garofalo said.

Rochelle is an administrator who handles daily operations for Shabtai, a faith-based nonprofit affiliated with Yale University, and has experience managing business operations. She has served on the Derby Board of Ethics and made an unsuccessful bid in 2017 for a seat on Derby’s Board of Apportionment and Taxation.

She said she enjoys spending time encouraging others to get involved in the political process both locally in the Naugatuck Valley and statewide. She’s president of the Naugatuck Valley Young Democrats, which she founded last year.

“I look forward to meeting everyone and hearing what you care about most so I can best bring Valley values to Hartford,” Rochelle said.

More information about Rochelle can be found on Facebook.

So far, it appears Rochelle will face a challenge from Republican Joe Jaumann, an Ansonia alderman and attorney who announced his candidacy to run for the 104th district last week . Jaumann, a father of four, made an unsuccessful bid in 2016 to unseat Gentile, but said he’s ready for the challenge again, hoping to help put Connecticut back on track.

jean.sos@snet.net