Connecticut Working Families | Vote your values. Vote Working Families.

Union head and city resident Brian Petronella, a registered Democrat, has accepted the nomination of the state Working Families Party, which he co-chairs, to run against Cafero.

Petronella challenged the incumbent in a two-way race in 2004, mainly to garner the 1 percent of the vote needed to secure the Working Families Party a ballot line in future 142nd House District races.

Petronella decided to enter this year's race after Norwalk Democrats failed to field a candidate.

Marilyn Robinson was nominated in June but subsequently withdrew.

"I'm looking to give people another option. I don't like the fact that we let (Cafero) go and vote against things like a minimum wage increase and health care pooling . . . that effects working families in the state." said Petronella, who for 10 years has been president of Local 371 United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

At least one prominent city Democrat - former town committee chairwoman Galen Wells - said yesterday she would like her party to consider cross-endorsing Petronella.

By nominating Robinson, Democratic leaders reserved the right to replace her with any candidate up to 21 days before the Nov. 4 election.

Although Working Family Party candidates have previously run against Democrats, the two parties have plenty in common.

"I can't think of any of the things they talk about that I don't agree with," Wells said.

This year, the Working Families Party has cross-endorsed several local Democrats, from congressional candidate Jim Himes to state Sen. Bob Duff and state Reps. Bruce Morris and Christopher Perone, all D-Norwalk.

"(Petronella) should come to the Democrats and ask for a cross-endorsement," said Wells, chairman of the Democratic ward within the 142nd House District. "Then he would get votes on the Democratic line. It's going to be a big Democratic year. I don't know if he'll defeat Larry, but Democrats will vote for (presidential candidate Barack) Obama and Jim Himes. There's no reason they wouldn't vote for Brian Petronella."

Democratic Town Chairwoman Gail Wall said the party would have to vet Petronella. She declined to give an opinion on a potential cross-endorsement.

Petronella said he would accept the Democrats' support.

He said he plans a bare-bones campaign against Cafero.

"I'm not going after any kind of campaign contributions or public financing," Petronella said.

Cafero is participating in the state's new public financing program. Without a challenger, he would only receive a $7,500 grant.

But now that Petronella has come forward, Cafero is eligible for up to $25,000 in state campaign money.

While agreeing the Democrats and Working Families parties have a lot in common, Perone said he doubts the Democrats' blessing alone would help Petronella defeat a high-profile candidate such as Cafero.

"It doesn't make up for organization. It doesn't make up for a lot of things that go into running a campaign," Perone said, noting how hard political newcomer Lex Paulson worked in 2006 to come within 600 votes of defeating Cafero.

Cafero said he was unaware Petronella had entered the race.

"Brian Petronella, I know, is the head of a union. I don't know what, if anything else he's done with regard to the community," Cafero said.

Cafero acknowledged Petronella might garner the votes of some Democrats.

"I'm running on my record," he said. "I've served Norwalk and will continue to serve Norwalk very well. I've brought Norwalk into the game in many, many respects. I'm proud of my record."


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