Survivor of fatal Conn. home invasion to run for office

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Dr. William Petit, who survived a home invasion that claimed the lives of his wife and two daughters, is the Connecticut Republican Party's nominee for a state legislative seat.

The Hartford Courant reports that Petit is been nominated for the 22nd House District, which includes Plainville and New Britain. Petit says he'll issue a statement next week. The district is currently represented by Democrat Elizabeth Boukus.

Petit was severely beaten in a 2007 home invasion in Cheshire. Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven Hayes were convicted of murdering his wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit, and leaving his daughters, 11-year-old Michaela and 17-year-old Hayley, to die in a fire. Komisarjevsky and Hayes are appealing their convictions.

Petit has since remarried and has a young son.

His family has strong political and business ties to Plainville.