“My idea of going up there and finding out what I’m going to do is to speak to you guys because I can’t do this with my own set goals and agenda. I have to have the set goals and agendas of our city.”
State Rep. Chris Soto intends to resign his seat in the General Assembly to take a job within the administration of Governor-Elect Ned Lamont.
That means there will be a vacancy in the near-future, and New London Democrats are jumping at the chance to replace Soto.
“When I thought about the decision I wanted to make sure that we had the right talent to continue that momentum,” Soto said during a press conference at New London City Hall. “And when we had conversations, it was clear that the bench was deep and the talent was deep to keep our momentum going.”
The person the New London Democratic Town Committee wants to replace Soto is Anthony Nolan, an officer in the city’s police department, and a seven-year member of the New London City Council.
Nolan was humbled by the support of Soto, Mayor Mike Passero, and DTC Chair Martha Marx, but he was hesitant on declaring he would pursue the seat, or that he would even be selected if he did attempt a run for the House of Representatives.
“I will continue to fight for everyone in New London, not just the Democrats. I will continue to support everyone and this is not a confirmation that this is going to be me because there is a long road ahead of us.”
Soto won his first term in 2016, and ran unopposed in November 2018. He said the decision to leave office following reelection was something he struggled with.
He said, “It was a tough decision to think about resigning, right? I worked hard to get elected the first time. I worked hard to get reelected.”
Soto said he plans to submit his resignation on January 9, the same day Lamont and the rest of Connecticut’s constitutional officers will take the oath of office. From there, the governor will have 10 days announce a special election, and the election would then take placed 45 days from the day of the, “writ,” as it is known. The election cannot take place on a weekend and it does not have to occur on a Tuesday.
The New London Republican Town Committee told NBC Connecticut in a statement,
“There are several individuals who are interested in the position once it becomes available. The RTC is not sure why there was a political event today inside of city hall which is a public building and should be devoid of political announcements. We also are not certain what the announcement was today. As of today Representative Soto hasn't resigned and a vacancy doesn't exists.”
