The two candidates vying for the General Assembly seat vacated by Mayor Dorinda Borer last month have been selected. The Democratic and Republican Town Committees met last weekend to determine their candidates for the Jan. 23 special election for the 115th district. Both parties selected well-known individuals in the community.
The West Haven Democratic Town Committee unanimously endorsed WHFD Lt. William “Bill” Heffernan, while the GOP nominated restaurateur Sylvana Apicella for the seat. Both have longtime credentials for their work in the professional and community spheres.
Heffernan is a life-long West Haven resident and retired firefighter with more than 30 years of experience in public safety. He is a current member and past president of the West Haven Community House Board of Directors and currently serves as the President of the Village Improvement Association, the organization that operates the West Haven Public Library system.
Heffernan continues to be active in the WHFD serving as Department Historian in charge of the West Haven Fire Department Historical Library and is the consulting producer of the popular television series Tacoma FD.
Mayor Borer endorsed Heffernan on Sunday and shared her enthusiasm for his candidacy.
“Bill has been a pillar in the community for decades and has already demonstrated his commitment, abilities, and professionalism through all the roles he has served in. I applaud his desire to now take a larger role in public service, and I have no doubt he will be able represent the residents of the 115th with a high level of service,” she said.
Heffernan, who still has to beat a yet-to-be-named Republican candidate for the seat, said he is read.
“I am excited to reaffirm my commitment to our great city, and look forward to this campaign. My desire has always been to serve my community in the best way possible, and I see this as the next step for me. I’m grateful to the Democratic Party and the members of the Town Committee for the chance to run for this seat and it is my goal to earn each and every vote,” he said.
Democratic Town Chairman Michael Last echoed the sentiments fo Mayor Borer.
“Bill Heffernan has dedicated himself to public safety and community service and is an honest and genuine person. He will bring a lot of knowledge, experience and leadership to Hartford and will represent West Haven well. Bill Heffernan and Mayor Dorinda Borer, along with the rest of the delegation, will make a great team and West Haven will benefit greatly,” he said.
Meanwhile, The West Haven Republicans nominated Apicella, touting her bond fides as a professional and community organizer.
Apicella most recently ran for one of the at-large positions on the City Council, Nov. 7, as well as the eighth district seat in the past. She was a member of the Charter Revision commission in 2018-2019 and currently serves on the Board of Ethics.
“She is well known in West Haven as she volunteers and organizes many charity events, recently reprising her role as chair for one of West Haven’s anticipated events, Pizza Wars, which she created,” the Republican Town Committee press release stated.
She is Parliamentarian of Italian-American Civic Association’s Women’s Auxiliary and a member of the West Haven Elks 1537.
Apicella graduated from Albertus Magnus College from which she received a bachelor’s degree in business management.
“Silvana will bring her energy, creativity, and voice to address the multitude of issues of the city and state including the excessive cost of living, taxes, and utility bills,” the release read. “Her passion for West Haven is unparalleled and she is not afraid to speak her mind. Silvana Apicella is the voice that West Haven needs in Hartford.”