The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Cook, Spino win GOP, Democratic party nods
Women competing for 65th state House District seat
TORRINGTON — The nominating season for state legislative offices kicked into high gear this week, with Republican and Democratic town committees meeting to select candidates.
Incumbent state Rep. Michelle Cook, D-Torrington, was nominated for her sixth term representing Torrington in the 65th District. Cook is serving her first term as deputy speaker of the House.
Torrington Board of Education member and Republican Molly Spino was nominated to challenge Cook. She was elected to her first term on the school board in November. A city native, Spino served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“This will be an extremely close race which will require a a total team effort,” Spino said in a news release.
She said she “looks forward to putting in hard work to win alongside my friends, neighbors and supporters.”
Cook said the core issue of her campaign is human services, ranging from education, support for senior citizens, public health and veterans. Committee Chairman Paul Summers, who has known Cook for about 15 years, said she works hard and connects with voters.
“She is the only Democrat in the district,” he said. Cook said she achieved that distinction by “never being afraid of a challenge.”
Republican committee Chairman Justin Giampaolo said in the release, “Molly will bring a fresh, collaborative approach and a new voice to the Capitol.”
Other nominations this week from the Democratic committee were attorney Ruth Nadeau Dwyer for probate judge of the Torrington Area Probate District and John Ciesco for registrar of voters.
The Republican committee nominated incumbent Edward C. Wilmot as the registrar of voters and incumbent Michael F. Magistrali for probate judge.
The Democrats gave Judge of Probate Diane Blick the nod to seek her final term.