Republicans have started to line up to run for the vacated Congressional seat left by Elizabeth Esty.
Manny Santos, the former Republican Mayor of Meriden, was the first to enter the race back in February, with the thought he would be challenging Esty.
“Now the race has a higher profile,” Santos acknowledged.
Santos, who was born in Portugal, came to America with his parents when he was 5. He later joined the Marines and graduated from the University of Connecticut before working in engineering and as an analyst for a health insurance company.
He said he thinks the Fifth Congressional District is more competitive than even before Esty dropped her re-election bid.
Santos added that a vote for him, is one for support of President Donald Trump.
"My intention is to support this administration's policies, which I agree with most of them and the ones I don't agree on. I'll voice that opinion as well,” he said.
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Other Republicans have voiced intentions to run in the 24 hours after Esty announced her decision, including Mark Greenberg who faced Elizabeth Esty in 2014, and Dan Carter who ran against Richard Blumenthal in the race for the US Senate in 2016.
“I understand their needs in the district. They are tired of lip service,” Carter said of running.
Mary Glassman, the former Democratic First Selectman of Simsbury also confirmed to NBC Connecticut her plans to replace Elizabeth Esty.
Multiple sources also told NBC Connecticut that Danbury State Representative David Arconti has been discussed as a possible replacement, as well.
