Democrat Zimmer offers progressive platform

By Scott Benjamin

LITCHFIELD – He puts a white strip of paper on the floor to designate where the speakers should stand and makes sure that the iPad is properly programmed.

Then Aaron Zimmer checks to ensure that the camera and tripod are in correct alignment.

There is no MSNBC crew even though a Democrat hasn’t won in the 30^th state Senate District since around the time that Jimmy Carter opened diplomatic relations with China.

Setting the stage is second nature for Zimmer, who toured through his native Nebraska and other points in the Midwest with a guitar-oriented band.

He is running as a progressive Democrat against state Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding, who, like Zimmer, lives in Brookfield.

Geographically there is more land and 18 municipalities – making the 30^th District the largest state Senate configuration in Connecticut. It goes from North Canaan to Brookfield.

Zimmer lost but did better than any Democrat in years when he ran against Republican state Rep. Marty Foncello of Brookfield two years ago in the 107^th state House District.

Zimmer said in campaigning over the last three months he has learned how “diverse the problem sets are” in the 30^th District.

In Brookfield, it is the proposed expansion of the Iroquois natural gas compressor station; In New Milford, people are concerned about clean water; In Torrington, there are discussions about infrastructure.

Zimmer moved to Brookfield from New York City about five years ago during the pandemic.

He operates a vinyl-based music businesses from his home.

Almost upon arriving, he joined the Democratic Town Committee and within a year he was chairman.

In seconding Zimmer’s nomination, New Milford Democratic Town Committee Chairman Joe Baker said he “helped turn Brookfield from red to blue” as he managed the 2023 municipal campaign that put Democratic First Selectman Steve Dunn back in office.

In her nomination speech, Bailey Orban of Brookfield said there is “noting artificial” about Zimmer.

During the 2023 campaign he established permanent campaign headquarters at 499 Federal Road and made the party more active through podcasts and social media.

In accepting the nomination, Zimmer said those components and canvassing will be paramount in the campaign against Harding, who initially was elected to the General Assembly in 2015 as a state representative.

Harding has scored large wins in Brookfield and New Milford the last two elections to more than offset the Democratic turnout in the small towns in the Northwest Corner of Litchfield County.

However, Brookfield Democratic Town Committee Chairman Shannon Riley, who succeeded Zimmer in that position, said the recent No Kings rallies in the area in response to Republican President Donald Trump’s policies have energized Democrats.

In his 11-minute speech at the Litchfield Fire House, Zimmer said too many middle-class families “can’t find happiness.”

“They are “thinking about how much money was in my bank account and how much gas was in my car,” he exclaimed.

“We’re one of the richest states in the richest country in the world and there are too many people who cannot find happiness.,” Zimmer declared.

Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Greenwich) has high approval poll numbers but faces state Rep. Josh Elliott (D-88) of Hamden in an August 11 primary for the party’s nomination.

Zimmer said he is not taking sides.

“I think it is important that Democrats push Democrats to do more Democrat stuff,” he explained. “I like that Josh has pushed Lamont to got a little bit further left.”

Zimmer said a primary could be to the Democrats advantage.

“It gets people talking about this stuff during the summer,” he commented. “Democratic Town committees are out working.”

After winning the convention endorsement, Republican state Sen. Ryan Fazio of Greenwich, doesn’t face a primary challenge.

With per-gallon prices inching toward five dollars a gallon, Zimmer said he supports Lamont's recent call to temporarily suspend the gas tax. The charge is 25-cents a gallon for gasoline and 49-cents a gallon for diesel fuel.

There was a gas tax holiday for about eight months in 2022 when inflation was soaring.

Commented Zimmer, "We should take steps to ease pressure off of working families."

Will the wealthy accept paying more in taxes and still reside in Connecticut?

Remarked Zimmer, “I was so happy to see the buttons and the signs at the [state Democratic] convention” calling on the top one percent to pay more in taxes. “I wish we had had that months ago.”

Zimmer said he supports a public option for health care, an issue that has been discussed in Connecticut for many years.

There have been fears that it would hurt the state’s insurance industry.

On another topic, Zimmer said the lack of housing supply is party due to a mortgage lock. Residents who bought homes years ago with lower rates are reluctant to sell when it would mean buying a new home at a higher mortgage rate.

He said he bought his home “at a great time” and “it would be difficult now to sell and buy again.”

Who is a bigger draw: Dionne Warwick or Bob Dylan?

Commented Zimmer, “Bob Dylan all day, every day.”

However, Dionne does more concerts each year?

Said Zimmer, “That’s probably true. If you are talking ticket sales, she’s probably got him beat.”

She also sang in 1985 on “We Are The World.”

“That’s true. It could be her” as the bigger draw.

Plus, she attended the Hartt College of Music at the University of Hartford. She has a Connecticut connection.

Zimmer remarked, “Let me take my answer back. It is Dionne Warwick.”