The Republican Town Committee of Torrington is expected to vote Tuesday to nominate Todd Schaller, a retired police captain, for the 65th House District as a late fill-in for Chris Diorio, who quit the race 10 days ago, according to Gregg Cogswell, the GOP town chairman.
The 65th began this election cycle as a targeted district, given that state Rep. Michelle Cook, D-Torrington, won by just 52 votes two years ago. But Diorio failed to raise sufficient funds to qualify for public financing before he quit, saying he had accepted a job in North Carolina.
“There’s too much on the line for our city and state to have legislative leaders like Representative Cook go unopposed,” Schaller said.
Schaller, 51, who commanded the detective division, retired from the police force in 2014 after a 27-year career.