New London - The Republican Town Committee has endorsed Andrew Lockwood for the 39th House District seat despite outstanding tax bills.

Lockwood, who is involved with the tea party movement, was the only candidate seeking the endorsement at a GOP Town Committee meeting earlier this week.

Lockwood ran unsuccessfully for City Council in November. He will try to unseat State Rep. Ernest Hewett, who is seeking a fourth term.

Although Lockwood has had financial problems - owing back taxes in New London and Groton - GOP town Chairman William Vogel said Lockwood worked hard for the party during the last municipal election and has paid the back taxes on his personal property. He is also working out agreements to pay off other outstanding debts, Vogel said.

"I think people wish that wasn't the case,'' Vogel said about the overdue taxes. "But the guy is trying to straighten out his business finances in this economy."

Lockwood said Friday that his personal property taxes in New London have been paid and he is working with the city on disputed bills on a car dealership he owned 17 years ago. He still owes roughly $30,000 in property taxes and about $1,500 in motor-vehicle taxes.

He also said he settled a five-year-old dispute with Groton, where he owed back taxes on a less than one-acre tract of land off Winding Hollow Road. He said Friday the town is taking ownership of the property, assessed at about $30,000, in lieu of the taxes.

Lockwood owns the Millennium Inn on Colman Street, which is open on a limited basis because of renovations, he said. He also is a substitute teacher, a real estate agent, a bank contractor and works for the U.S. Census Bureau.

Lockwood said he graduated from law school but is not a member of the Connecticut Bar Association and not a practicing attorney.

Most recently, he proposed holding six outdoor concerts this summer on the city's Waterfront Park, but those plans have been put on hold after the City Council tabled his request.

Lockwood said the council was asking him to put money in an escrow account to pay for the bands, in case he did not make enough money from gate receipts. But he said he did not want to do that. The council also wanted him to pay back all of his unpaid taxes before it backed his proposal.

"I'm looking for another venue,'' Lockwood said, adding he's hoping to find space at Ocean Beach or at Washington Park in Groton.

He said he lined up six bands for the concerts and was going to charge $10 per person. Proceeds would have gone to New London seniors, many of whom he said he met while campaigning last fall.

k.edgecomb@theday.com