Old Saybrook – Board of Finance Chairman Carl Fortuna Jr. said today that he is interested in running for first selectman.

Fortuna, a managing partner at the personal injury and criminal defense law firm Fortuna and Cartelli in Middletown, will be interviewed tonight by the Republican Town Committee's nominating committee. The RTC has not yet endorsed a slate for the November election.

"As chairman of the Board of Finance for more than the last 10 years, I think I have a pretty good understanding of the complex issues that the town is facing and will face," Fortuna said. "In addition, I think it's important to keep some continuity."

Republican Michael Pace, the town's current first selectman, announced Wednesday that he planned to step down at the end of his term, his sixth in Old Saybrook.

Fellow Republican Selectman Bill Peace has also said he will not run for re-election.

Democratic Selectman Carol Manning said Wednesday she hoped to be endorsed as the Democratic Town Committee's candidate for first selectman. Democratic Registrar of Voters Carol Conklin has expressed the same interest.