Engineer gains party’s support in run for 33rd District

MIDDLETOWN — Engineer Brandon Chafee received a unanimous endorsement from the Middletown Democratic Party Thursday in his bid for state representative for the 33rd District.

He was nominated by Mayor Ben Florsheim, according to a press release.

State Rep. Joseph Serra, who has served for 28 years in the position, is not seeking re-election.

Serra believes Chafee has the attributes, dedication and commitment to fulfill the obligations of the office, the news release said.

“Joe’s presence in the state House will be hard to replace, but I am confident that I possess the skills and background to serve our community well,” the candidate said.

“Brandon brings an incredibly unique background to this position, as an engineer, as a labor organizer, and as a lifelong resident. He is the type of person who will be looking forward and thinking forward,” Florsheim said in a prepared statement. “In all the time that I have known him, I have seen that he has a really strong moral compass and a really strong political backbone.

“I know that those qualities will serve him really well in the Legislature,” the mayor added.

Chafee has looked to the mayor as an example of leadership during the coronavirus pandemic. “The level of information and support he has been providing to our community should be a model for all in elected office,” he said in the statement.

He also received endorsements from Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and state Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, at the virtual party convention.

“The current crisis caused by the coronavirus is highlighting many of the longstanding systemic problems in our economy and society,” Chafee said. “The need for affordable medication, the need to produce basic necessities domestically here at home, the need to expand voting rights, and the need for universal health care has never been greater than they are right now.”

Chafee is also a union steward with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He lives in the Westfield section of Middletown.

For information, visit brandonchafee.com.

Contributed photo Brandon Chafee is running for Middletown’s 33rd House seat in November.