Lesser exploring run for 9th District Senate seat

Our community was built on good jobs in manufacturing and skilled trades, and Matt Lesser knows these are vital for Connecticut’s future,” Shirley Dickes, a 28-year retired union machinist

MIDDLETOWN — The city’s state representative for the 100th House District hopes to be on the ballot for the 9th Senate District seat on Election Day.

State Rep. Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) is now exploring running for the district which includes Cromwell, Newington, Rocky Hill and parts of Middletown and Wethersfield. The post is now held by Sen. Paul Doyle, who is leaving the seat to run for Connecticut Attorney General.

Common Councilman Gene P. Nocera of Middletown will serve as treasurer.

“Making big ideas work for our towns is what motivates me each morning,” Lesser said in a press release. “I’ve worked for real change in Hartford and in our towns. Our next state senator should be an honest, effective fighter for working people. That’s why over the next few weeks, I’ll be traveling around the district, meeting people and listening.”

Lesser, who chairs the Banking Committee, has been a state rep for Middletown for nine years.

“Our community was built on good jobs in manufacturing and skilled trades, and Matt Lesser knows these are vital for Connecticut’s future,” Shirley Dickes, a 28-year retired union machinist at Pratt & Whitney in Middletown, said in a prepared statement. “Matt works harder than anyone to get things done.”

Lesser champions Paid Family Medical Leave to ensure working people can take paid time off to care for a sick child or relative. The cancer survivor is also leading efforts to protect the Affordable Care Act and ensure access to women’s health services, according to the release.

The Connecticut State Senate is split 18-18, making every open seat a closelywatched race for both Democrats and Republicans, according to Lesser’s statement. In his first election in 2008, Lesser said he knocked on 5,000 doors to talk directly with voters. When he took office nine years ago, Lesser was Connecticut’s youngest serving legislator.

Lesser lives in the North End of Middletown with his wife Sarah and their dog Lucy.

For information, visit housedems.ct.gov/Lesser.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo State Rep. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, is exploring a run for state Senate in the 9th District, now occupied by Sen. Paul Doyle, D-Wethersfield.