Matthew Knickerbocker takes on Q-Anon aligned Republican in 32nd Senate District.

Democrat Matthew Knickerbocker is seeking the Democratic nomination for state senator in the 32nd Senate District. Knickerbocker served as Bethel’s first selectman from 2009 to 2022. Knickerbocker left that elected office for a three-year stint as Wilton’s town administrator, a new position. Knickerbocker did not renew his contract with Wilton last year. The town is not in the 32nd district.

Knickerbocker was elected Bethel’s town treasurer last November. He is a strong recruit for the Democrats in the 12-town district that is the state’s most Republican one. The seat has been held by Watertown’s Eric Berthel since a 2017 special election to fill the vacancy of the late Rob Kane, who resigned to become one of the state’s auditors. Berthel has had admiring things to say about conspiracy-laden fantasists Q-Anon.

Parties are now choosing delegates for state, congressional, legislative and probate judge nominating conventions.

Published March 24, 2026.