This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

East Haven Gears Up for First-Ever Special Election

East Haven will hold its first-ever special election on Tuesday, Feb. 22 to elect a new state representative for the 99th District. Democrat Michael Lawlor was re-elected to the post in November, but was quickly tapped by Governor Dannel Malloy to work as an undersecretary for criminal justice policy for the Office of Policy and Management.

At this point, it seems that both the Democrats and Republicans have their candidates in place. Republican Linda Monaco, who was unsuccessful in her bid to unseat Lawlor in November, has announced plans to run in the special election. Democrat James Albis resigned from his position as community development coordinator for the town to focus on his campaign.

Both candidates must now wait to be officially endorsed by their party's town committee.

The Republicans had scheduled a caucus of 52 members of the Republican Town Committee who comprise Districts 1, 2, 4, and 5 for Tuesday, Jan. 11. According to Louis Crisci, chairman of the Republican Town Committee, a formal endorsement will happen then. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Bradford Manor Fire Station at 85 George Street. Monaco is expected to be endorsed at the meeting.

The Democratic Town Committee will hold its meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the East Haven Senior Center at 91 Taylor Avenue. The committee's 65 members will vote to endorse their candidate.

"We're positive [Albis] will do a good job," said Gene Ruocco, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee.

Once the candidates are endorsed, campaigning (just like a regular election) will begin, according to both Crisci and Ruocco.