Norwich — Former Democratic City Council President Bonnie Hong plans to file a petition by the Aug. 10 deadline to run as an unaffiliated third candidate in the Nov. 8 election in the 46th District state House of Representatives race.

Hong said Friday she obtained the official petition papers from the state Secretary of the State's office.

She will need to collect signatures totaling 1 percent of the number of votes cast in the 2014 election in the 46th District, which covers the urban and southern sections of Norwich.

Hong, a registered Democrat, attempted to petition for a Democratic primary against incumbent Democrat Emmett Riley, but her petition was rejected on a technicality.

Hong said Friday running as an unaffiliated candidate against both Riley and endorsed Republican Rob Dempsky is a “better fit for me.”

As an active volunteer in Bernie Sanders' presidential bid, Hong said she hopes to challenge long-standing political policies in Hartford, including Democratic stances.

She hopes to address such issues as Connecticut’s high ranking as one of the top five states in economic distress and in income inequality.

She also complained that state budget cuts exacerbated those problems.