Local Student Launches Campaign for State Representative

Jack Pavia, a Norwalk native, is running to bring new ideas to the 142nd House District

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:48pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a lone campaign sign or political office space, with warm sunlight streaming in through a window and deep shadows enveloping the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the weight of political responsibility.A young candidate's campaign for state office aims to bring fresh perspectives and urgency to long-standing political challenges.Norwalk Today

Jack Pavia, a senior at American University, has launched a campaign for state representative in Connecticut's 142nd House District, which includes parts of Norwalk and New Canaan. Pavia is running on a platform of addressing issues like transportation, healthcare costs, and the housing crisis, and bringing new voices into the political system.

Why it matters

Pavia's campaign represents an effort to inject fresh perspectives and ideas into state politics, particularly on issues that are impacting working and middle-class families in the district. As a young, hometown candidate, Pavia aims to energize voters who may feel cynical about the current political landscape.

The details

Pavia, a proud product of Norwalk Public Schools, is centering education funding and policy in his campaign. He has officially registered his campaign committee and is currently fundraising to qualify for the state's public campaign financing program. Pavia's campaign has received endorsements from local officials, including Norwalk City Council Member Rich Dellinger and former Darien First Selectman Evonne Klein.

  • Pavia announced his campaign on March 30, 2026.

The players

Jack Pavia

A senior at American University and Norwalk native who is running for state representative in the 142nd House District.

Rich Dellinger

A Norwalk City Council Member who has endorsed Pavia's campaign.

Evonne Klein

The former First Selectman of Darien and former Commissioner of Housing under Governor Dannel Malloy, who has endorsed Pavia's campaign.

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What they’re saying

“I'm running for state representative for a simple reason: life is getting harder for working and middle class families and we can be doing more as a state to address the challenges we're facing. Our basic needs, from housing to healthcare, are less affordable than they used to be. Masked agents are descending upon our state, sowing chaos and distrust among our neighbors. Elon Musk's net worth has ballooned to over $800 billion – over double that of the entire GDP of Connecticut. Right now, we must elect leaders who feel the urgency to do something to improve where we're headed and fight for policies that create real, tangible change.”

— Jack Pavia

“I am proud to both support and endorse Jack Pavia in his bid to be the state representative for the 142nd District. Jack is a great home-grown advocate: intelligent, thoughtful and politically astute. He would be a great representative. I enthusiastically support his candidacy.”

— Rich Dellinger, Norwalk City Council Member

“I'm endorsing Jack because I believe it's time for fresh voices at the table, voices that understand the challenges our state is facing and are ready to push for meaningful change. Jack grew up in this district, knows its residents, and brings a clear, thoughtful understanding of the issues we need to tackle. For too long, new perspectives have been overlooked. But those ideas — Jack's ideas — are exactly what we need to move forward and deliver real results.”

— Evonne Klein, Former Darien First Selectman and Commissioner of Housing under Governor Dannel Malloy

What’s next

Pavia is currently fundraising to qualify for the state's public campaign financing program, which would provide him with additional resources to run a competitive campaign.

The takeaway

Pavia's campaign represents an effort to bring new energy and fresh ideas to state politics, particularly on issues impacting working families in the 142nd House District. As a young, hometown candidate, he aims to engage voters who may feel disillusioned with the current political landscape.