Branford Republicans have selected resident and Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) member Chris Kelly as the party's candidate to be placed on the November 2016 ballot in the race for Branford's 102nd District State Representative seat.

Kelly has been selected unanimously by the 102nd District Republican Vacancy Committee to fill the opening, following a July 28 decision by Branford Representative Town Meeting Majority Leader Ray Ingraham (R) to withdraw from the race (see the story here ).

Kelly challenges Democratic incumbent Lonnie Reed for the 102nd State Representative position. Reed announced her re-election bid in January (see the story here ).

Kelly is originally from Ridgefield and graduated from the Canterbury School in New Milford. He was appointed to the Branford PZC in 2016. Kelly is a realtor with Sette Real Estate and a manager for Cohen's Bagel Company in Madison. Kelly's daughter attends Branford Public Schools.

In statement issued today, Kelly said, "I love Branford and look forward to my daughter growing up here. I am running to offer Branford residents a chance to help change our leadership in Hartford.

Connecticut's government is broken, broke, and out of touch. Voters have lost faith in politicians and the way things are done in Connecticut. We cannot change the dysfunction in Hartford unless we change who we send there.

We must focus on economic growth, jobs, and lowering the barriers to entry for businesses of all sizes. We must work to fundamentally change how Connecticut governs by prioritizing our spending and budgeting so as to not burden future generations with crushing debt. Branford's residents have been asked to accept Connecticut's 'new economic reality' and I find that simply unacceptable.

Branford families, Branford businesses, and Branford schools deserve better. Families and businesses need to regain their faith in investing in Connecticut; if they don't, the vicious cycle of a decreasing population and a flight of businesses will continue unabated.

We cannot tax our way to growth or regulate our way to prosperity. As a husband, father, Realtor, and a small business manager, I see every day the difficult decisions that must be made by Connecticut families to make life in our state manageable and to keep the American Dream of upward mobility alive. I see those decisions made by my employees, my customers, my clients and in my own home.

Together, we can set Connecticut on a new path and see growth and opportunity again. I am looking forward to running a positive campaign, introducing myself to Branford voters and bringing much needed change to Hartford."

Chris Kelly can be contacted at kellyforbranford@gmail.com and on Facebook at Kelly For Branford