Rocky Hill Political Scene Taking Shape

State Rep. Tony Guerrera and Sen. Paul Doyle now know who will be challenging them for their seats in the November election.

Last week, the Republican town committees nominated Joseph Dinunzio for the 9th State Senate District and Todd Brown for the 29th Assembly District.

Regarding Sen. Doyle challenger Republican Joe Dinunzio, former town councilman, of Rocky Hill.

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

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

Dinunzio has previously challenged Billy Ciotto for 9th State Senate District seat back in 2002.

Brown is believed to be a new comer to state politics and politics in general, according to the Rocky Hill Republican Town Committee Vice-Chairman Michael Casasanta.

"He seems like a very nice guy and very enthusiastic," he said about the political candidate.

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 a 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.

Guerrera was nominated on Tuesday night and in his speech, he told the Rocky Hill Democratic Town Committee that he plans to work on bringing tolls back to Connecticut and looking at red light cameras at busy intersections.

"They are both marvelous," said Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Carol deBear about the two politicians. "They work very well together."

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.