Donnie Sellers
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 |
Donnie R. Sellers, Sr. (born November 20, 1944, Norwalk, Connecticut) is a former Democratic member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from Norwalk, Connecticut's 140th assembly district. He resigned his seat causing a vacancy and a special election was held to fill it in February 1997. He had previously had served on the Norwalk Common Council.
Early life
He 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
In 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 Clemmons.
Associations
- Fair Housing Rent Commissioner[1]
- Neighborhood Housing Services[1]
- NEON Christian Community Action Group[1]
- Board of Directors, George Washington Carver[1]
- Commissioner, Boy Scouts of America[1]