NORWICH – Republican Sixth Ward Alderman Thomas LoPiccolo made it official this week that he is throwing his hat in the ring for city mayor, making him the first contender for the position since 2007.

With nearly three cumulative years of experience in city government, LoPiccolo said the post of city mayor has never been far from his mind. LoPiccolo was appointed to the Norwich Common Council in January, 2012, following former Ward Six Alderman Robert Jeffrey’s election to city supervisor that left the council position vacant. LoPiccolo then lost his seat in the 2012 Republican Primary to Daniel Palmer, who served the remainder of Jeffrey’s initial term which expired in 2013.

LoPiccolo regained the council seat after Palmer opted not to seek reelection in 2013, making his the only name to appear on the ballot for the city’s sixth ward.

Now nearing the middle of his first elected four-year term, LoPiccolo said he had initially hoped for a mayoral campaign later in his political career. But with the off chance of losing his seat on the council and the mayoral election if he were to run in 2017, he said the best time to run is now.