Former New London mayor and current Democratic Town Committee Chairman Bill Satti announced his candidacy for state Senate Wednesday on the Niantic Town Green, according to a press release.

Satti will run against state Rep. Betsy Ritter, D-Waterford, who secured the Democratic nomination for the 20th Senate District at a convention last week by a margin of six votes.

Satti said he made his final decision to primary over the weekend because of how close the convention vote was. The convention vote was 28-22, with Waterford and East Lyme going for Ritter and Satti carrying all votes from New London and all but one vote from the Montville delegates.

Ritter said Wednesday that she looked forward to a primary and saw it as a way to bring the choice of candidates to a larger group of people.

The 20th District encompasses Bozrah, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem and Waterford.