Sandy Hook resident and former Legislative Council member Eva Bermudez Zimmerman has announced that she will be vying for local Democratic party endorsement for state representative in the 106th district.

Ms Zimmerman is the second Democrat in as many weeks to announce intentions to try and unseat incumbent Republican Mitch Bolinsky. Democrat Kyle Lyddy announced last week that he is also seeking the his party's endorsement.

According to the local registrars of voters office, both Republican and Democratic Town Committee caucuses to endorse a candidate for the 106th must take place between May 17 and 24. Exact dates have not been determined by either party.

The registrars office said Newtown's 106th District is handled differently from other state representative contests in the Second and 112th Districts, because those districts cover multiple municipalities and include small constituencies in the western and parts of Newtown, respectively.

Since the 106th District is exists entirely within a single municipality, its contest to select a legislator is considered a municipal election while the Second and 112th General Assembly candidates are endorsed at conventions.

Anyone petitioning for a spot on the ballot can pick up petitions starting May 18, and must have them filed by June 7. If there is a primary for either or both Democratic or Republican 106th District seats, it will be August 9 the registrars office said.

A release from Ms Zimmerman relates that as a local Legislative Council member, she worked to facilitate growth in the Sandy Hook district with the goal of more transparency and a voice for the community.

"I'm passionate about Newtown's future and, as a result, I am announcing my candidacy to represent Newtown," said Ms Zimmerman.

She has been a leader on health care issues and access to services in her role as an Access Health assister through the State of Connecticut.

In that capacity she amassed three years of firsthand knowledge on the difficulties Newtown and Connecticut citizens face with affordable coverage and access, ranging from mental health and disability to eye and dental care.

The release describes Ms Zimmerman as "a trusted partner and leader for key initiatives like education and smart development."

"I look forward to an opportunity for us to work together to serve the citizens of Newtown and build a plan for our future," she stated.

As a candidate, Ms Zimmerman says she "brings extensive organizing and policy leadership experience. For more than a decade she has dedicated herself to public service and helping communities finding their voice, registering new voters and multiple community initiatives."

The release states that Ms Zimmerman "periodically testifies in legislative hearings ranging on education, health care, and income inequality." And that she recently presented testimony supporting legislation on paid family medical leave.

In that testimony she gave a personal story of how no one should be forced to leave their job due to illness, pregnancy, or a sick loved one.

"This problem affects every age" said Ms Zimmerman during her testimony.

In addition to serving, she is currently secretary of the Newtown Ad-hoc Roads Committee, board president of the Forest Kinder School family day care center, and was recently made treasurer of the Riverside On Lake Zoar Community Association.

Ms Zimmerman is involved with Rotary International, the Newtown Arts Festival, and looks forward to helping out again at the 2016 Turkey Trot to benefit the C.H. Booth Library.

"I choose Newtown! A community full of vibrancy and hope. As an invested citizen, and homeowner, I expect with the help of Newtown citizens to make our town better," Ms Zimmerman stated. "Better not only for my future children but for everyone who needs strong representation during these difficult economic times in Connecticut. We cannot continue to leave resources on the table due to ineffectual representation in the State Capitol."

Residents are invited to meet the candidate at a fundraiser Tuesday, March 29 from 6 to 8 pm at the Villa Restaurant, 4 Riverside Road in Sandy Hook. Suggested donation is $25 - a cash bar will be available.

For more information about Ms Zimmerman and her campaign, visit evafornewtown.com or call 203-895-4403.