Ellington’s Milanovich joining race for state Senate’s 3rd District seat

Jumps into field with 2 other Democrats

ELLINGTON — Former Ellington First Selectman Dennis Milanovich is joining a pair of Democrats in seeking the state Senate’s 3rd District seat.

Milanovich announced earlier this week that he is running to fill the seat recently left vacant by Sen. Tim Larson, who will be the state commissioner of higher education. Milanovich joins other Democrats — South Windsor Mayor M. Saud Anwar and East Hartford native Don Bell — in vying for the seat that serves South Windsor, East Windsor, East Hartford and part of Ellington.

The Democrats will participate in a candidates forum Thursday at the East Hartford North End Senior Center at 30 Remington Road. The

event will start at 7 p.m. Anominating convention will be held at Lena’s Restaurant at 6 p.m. Monday. The election is scheduled for Feb. 26.

Milanovich said he “understands what our towns need to succeed.”

“I am committed to this campaign, and I will use my experience as the former first selectman of Ellington to fight for our values in Hartford,” he said. “We need to ensure that this Senate seat remains in Democratic hands. I have broad appeal to the people of Broad Brook, East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, and South Windsor.”

Milanovich was an engineer in the private sector before becoming Ellington’s first selectman. He serves as chief building inspector and town engineer in Stafford. He said solving problems facing homeowners with crumbling foundations is one of his top priorities. He also said he will “focus on economic growth and reducing the tax burden for working and middle-class families.”

Milanovich lives in Ellington with his wife Lisa and their two daughters.

“I will use my experience as the former First Selectman of Ellington to fight for our values in Hartford.” — Dennis Milanovich, left