The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Larsson announces run for 66th District
Democrat wants to be ‘new voice’
LITCHFIELD — Democrat Alex Larsson, of Bantam, has announced his candidacy for state representative in the 66th District.
Larsson, a 32-year-old history buff and soccer coach, has lived in Connecticut most of his life. This is his first political campaign.
Larrsson filed as a candidate on April 6. He will face first-term Republican incumbent David Wilson of Litchfield, in the Nov. 6 general election.
“I feel like the district needs a new voice in the Legislature,” he said in an interview Thursday. “I think I can make the towns in the district better by working with ethics and my heart.”
The district is comprised of the towns of Bethlehem, Litchfield, Morris, Warren and Woodbury.
”I’m very excited to have Alex running in the 66th,” said Audrey Blondin of Litchfield, an attorney and member of the Democratic State Central Committee. “He is fired up and ready to go. He is definitely an exceptional candidate.”
Blondin said the state’s campaign finance program creates a level playing field, even for first-time candidates.
Larsson said he will seek funding from the Citizens’ Election Program, which requires him to raise $5,100 in increments ranging from $5 to $250. Once that threshold is met, his campaign could receive grants ranging from $8,300 to $25,000, depending on a number of factors.
His sister, Daniela Larsson, is volunteering for his campaign and he expects his three other siblings to pitch in, as well. Larsson’s father is a mechanical
engineer who is originally from Sweden. Larsson started playing competitive soccer when he was 7 and continued into his midteens. He now coaches youth soccer,. and is a member of Litchfield’s Parks and Recreation and Conservation commissions,
Because he’s lived in different parts of the state, Larson said he has seen how other towns approach economic development, affordable housing and revitalization.
“Younger residents have a hard time finding housing in Litchield. Jobs are few and far between,” he said.
He supports regionalization as a cost-saving measure and would like to see empty factory buildings renovated and used for housing.
Larsson attended Western Connecticut State University, where he received bachelors and masters degrees in history. He taught at a community college and is now the president of the Connecticut Crossroads Project, a non-profit organization that seeks to document the history of Litchfield County and the wider region by recording interviews with residents, both young and old.
“I feel like the district needs a new voice in the legislature.” Democrat Alex Larsson of Bantam