In the days since Branford Republican Dominic Rapini announced his intent to challenge U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D) for his seat in 2018, Rapini told Zip06/The Sound he's seeing a surge of support from across the state.

"It was kind of a surprise. I'm kind of overwhelmed, in a very positive way. People are coming out from all over the state, asking how they can help; and to give me information and to encourage me," said Rapini, who officially announced his bid in Branford on June 19.

News agencies across the state have picked up on Rapini's entrance into the race, with many leaning on Rapini's own description of embracing his status as a "political outsider," inspired by the campaign and successful election of U.S. President Donald J. Trump.   On Sunday, July 2, Rapini will appear on Face the State at 11 a.m. on WFSB 3 Connecticut news TV.

"I'm an outsider for politics, but I'm an insider for Connecticut," Rapini told Zip06/The Sound. "I'm a Connecticut kid from the New Haven area. I spend my time with people right here in Connecticut. When I give time or money to a charity, I like to do it right here in Connecticut."

Rapini co-chaired the 2016 Easter Seals Celebrate Campaign and has volunteered with non-profit New Reach, LLC helping the homeless in New Haven and Fairfield counties.

The Apple executive grew up in Hamden and stayed involved in the community as a husband and father, including coaching Hamden Pop Warner football and cheerleading for over 30 years. A member of the New Haven Football Hall of Fame, Rapini is a Trinity College alumnus who was named All-New England in Football and Track and an All American for hammer throw. He taught science and coached football and track at Westminster School in Simsbury before entering the corporate world in 1986.

At his "Dominic for Senate" campaign website here , Rapini's campaign slogan, "Believe in Connecticut," is backed by the opening statement: "Connecticut deserves a U.S. Senator who's only ambition is to serve Connecticut."

Rapini told Zip06/The Sound he doesn't see Murphy as someone who is focused on supporting Connecticut.  Rapini added he's getting plenty of feedback from people across the state who agree with that notion.

"One of the things I'm learning is that Chris Murphy doesn't have as many fans as he thinks he does," said Rapini. "People are actually calling to thank me for running against him. People don't like the fact that he's spending so much time grandstanding."

Rapini said what Connecticut needs is a U.S. Senator who will focus on bringing federal dollars back to the state.

"We haven't had a lot of federal money brought back to our state – we're one of the lowest states in the U.S. getting money back to us per capita. For the last six to ten years, we've been in a spiral of not getting federal money back," Rapini said. "There's a good example of someone who is so busy leading the resistance, he's not doing the work to take care of Connecticut; and that's what people are realizing."

Murphy has been serving since January, 2013 as Connecticut's junior U.S. Senator. The Cheshire resident also served Connecticut's Fifth Congressional District for three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives prior to his election to the U.S. Senate.

With more than a year before Connecticut's 2018 U.S. Senate elections take place on Nov. 6, 2018, Rapini said he's announcing his Republican candidacy for Murphy's U.S. Senate seat now as part of his strategy for success. He pointed to Republican candidate Dan Carter's unsuccessful bid to beat incumbent Democratic senior U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal in the November 2016 elections; saying Carter started his bid too late to make an impact.

"Dan Carter was an amazing candidate, but he didn't have enough time," said Rapini. "I'm not an insider, so I need more time to develop a structure to defeat an incumbent. I've been working on this for the past seven months -- I've been working through it, putting the chess pieces on the board. I'm giving myself a lot of runway to learn."

Rapini announced his U.S. Senate bid during a celebratory gathering held at Branford's Stony Creek Brewery. He has high praise for the support he is receiving from his town.

"Branford's been really supportive," said Rapini, adding that, in the lead up to his announcment, Branford Republican First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, Republican majority leader of the Representative Town Meeting Ray Ingraham and Town Clerk Lisa Arpin (R) "...have been a big support."

In the coming weeks and months, Rapini hopes to continue to build his name recognition -- and his war chest.

"We're doing a lot of private events; right now, it's all about the fundraising continuing," said Rapini. "I've been invited by [Madison Republican First Selectman] Tom Banisch to march in the Madison Fourth of July Parade, so I'm pretty excited about that, and I'll be on [WFSB] Face the State this Sunday morning; so that will be a chance for people to hear from me."