Donnie R. Sellers Sr. (born November 20, 1944, in Norwalk, Connecticut) is a former Democratic member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from Norwalk, Connecticut's 140th assembly district. He resigned his seat in February 1997. He was concurrently serving on the Norwalk Common Council and was an active policeman as well.
Donnie R. Sellers, Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 140th District | |
| In office 1993–1997 | |
| Preceded by | Douglas Mintz |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Clemmons |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 20, 1944[1] Norwalk, Connecticut |
| Political party | Democratic A Connecticut Party |
| Children | Earl |
| Residence(s) | Norwalk, Connecticut |
| Alma mater | Norwalk Community College (Associate 1973) University of New Haven (Associate 1975) University of New Haven (B.A. in political science, 1975) |
| Occupation | Police officer |
Early life
editHe is a graduate of the University of New Haven, with a B.S. in political science.[2] He joined the Norwalk Police Department in 1966.[1][2] He is a member of the United States Army Reserves since 1972.[1]
Political career
editIn 1989, he was the first petition candidate to win his district and the first police officer to serve on the Norwalk Common Council.[3][2]
In January 1993, he won election to the Connecticut House in a special election beating Republican Eleni Sotiriou by a 2-to-1 margin while running with the endorsements of the Democratic Party and A Connecticut Party.[2] The special election was called when Representative Doug Mintz resigned to become a Superior Court judge.[4]
He was re-elected to the Connecticut House on Nov. 8, 1994, having beaten Republican challenger, Fabian Vega.[5]
Sellers left office in 1997 after pleading guilty to receiving a $200 bribe to write a letter of recommendation for a gun permit.[6][7] In 1998, he attempted to regain his seat, but due to mistakes in the filing of petitions was unable to force a primary challenge. He also tried to regain a seat on the Norwalk Common Council, but was again unable to, due to mistakes in the filing of petitions.[7] He was successfully able to force a primary in 2002, but was defeated in a three-way race by Joseph Mann.