Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story indicated that DeAngelo was running as an Independent. This has been clarified. DeAngelo is attempting to get on the ballot as a petitioning candidate.
Alex DeAngelo, 24, has lived in Orange his whole life. If 2017 goes his way, he’ll be running that town.
DeAngelo wants on the November ballot as a petitioning candidate for First Selectman. He picked up the necessary paperwork to begin the process from Orange Town Clerk Pat O’Sullivan, on the morning of June 26.
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“We should have this filed with the secretary of state by the end of the day,” DeAngelo said while standing outside of Town Hall with the filing forms in hand.
DeAngelo holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Southern Connecticut State University. During his education, he worked as a training camp intern for the Kansas City Chiefs and as a facilities intern for the Philadelphia 76ers. DeAngelo said he currently works as a project manager for a construction company in Milford.
Facing off against Republican and now six-term incumbent First Selectman James Zeoli is no small task. In 2015, Zeoli beat Democratic challenger Attorney Kenneth Lenz by more than 1,500 of the total 4,396 votes cast. At the time, Lenz was already a member of the Board of Selectmen and it was his second campaign running for First Selectman against Zeoli.
“Zeoli’s done a good job for Orange over his six terms,” DeAngelo said. “But it’s time for a fresh face and new ideas. We need someone who speaks for my generation, the Millennials.”
DeAngelo will most likely also have to face-off against Margaret Novicki, who is seeking the Democratic endorsement. Novicki lacks experience on a town board or commission, but has a lengthy resume with the United Nations.
DeAngelo said both opposing candidates are impressive, but his love of sports makes the challenge of the political game all the more exciting.
“The odds are against us, but I am ready for that challenge,” he said while smiling.
“Orange is a great town. But anything can be improved. I want to help keep this a great place to live and raise a family,” DeAngelo said.
To get on the ballot as a petition candidate, DeAngelo will need to secure at least 44 signatures on a petition to be filed no later than Aug. 9, according to Elections Officer Pearl Williams in the Connecticut Secretary of State’s office. The number is calculated at 1 percent of the votes cast in the previous election for that position.
DeAngelo said he hopes that being a younger candidate who can identify with the Millennials will help bring more people to the polls, something that has been a bit of a problem for Orange of late. In May, the proposed Town Charter revision votes failed due to a lack of participation by the electorate.
For now, DeAngelo’s team is still in the planning phases. They intend to go to the High Plains Community Center and other locations in Orange to get the signatures needed.
They are also firming up their platform and looking at business occupancy rates, taxes and other areas of voter interest where DeAngelo thinks they can make a difference for the residents of Orange.
Anyone interested in reaching DeAngelo’s campaign can find them on their Facebook page at FirstSelectmanDeAngelo. Joe DeGorsey is his campaign manager.