Voters will go to the polls on Feb. 25 in special elections called Friday by Gov. Ned Lamont to fill vacancies created by the resignations of Sen. Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, and Rep. Christine Conley, D-Groton.
Rep. Jason Perillo, R-Shelton, said he will seek the Republican nomination to succeed Kelly in the 21st Senatorial District, a safe GOP seat that includes Shelton and portions of Monroe, Seymour and Stratford.
“I’m all in,” said Perillo, a deputy House minority leader who was elected to the House in 2006.
It was the one Senate seat uncontested by Democrats in 2024.
At least two Democrats are expected to run in the 40th House District, which covers portions of Groton and New London, said House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford. The Day reported that Councilor Dan Gaiewski and former Mayor Juan Melendez, Jr. of Groton are likely to run.
The district strongly favors Democrats, but House Minority Leader Vincent J. Candelora, R-North Branford, said he expects there will be a Republican candidate.
Kelly is in line for a nomination as a judge of the Superior Court; Conley is being appointed to the Worker’s Compensation Commission.
Neither resignation affected the balance of power: Democrats won majorities of 25-11 in the Senate and 102-49 in the House in November.