Sprague First Selectman Cathy Osten, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to run for the 19th District seat being vacated by state Sen. Edith Prague, has received the endorsement of the Connecticut State Employees Association/Service Employees International Union (CSEA/SEIU) Local 2001.

The union includes state, municipal, school and childcare workers and retirees.

Ostenwas was president of CSEA/SEIU from 2008 to 2010, when she retired from the state Department of Corrections.

The 19th District covers the towns of Columbia, Franklin, Hebron, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Marlborough, Norwich, Sprague and the eastern quarter of Montville. Osten will oppose state Rep. Tom Reynolds, the party-endorsed candidate, in the Aug. 14 primary.