State Rep. Holly Cheeseman, R-East Lyme, a Republican, and Salem Selectman Hugh McKenney, a Democrat, have announced their candidacy for the 37th General Assembly District. The district covers the towns of East Lyme and Salem.

“Today, I am announcing my re-election campaign to continue to serve the residents of East Lyme and Salem in the Connecticut General Assembly," Cheeseman said in a statement. "It has been my honor to represent you for the past two years and I will continue to protect our municipalities and schools in the years ahead. I am proud of my legislative record which includes standing up for our local businesses, fighting for our fair share of funding, and preserving our beautiful land and scenery. I am asking for your vote on November 6th.”

Cheeseman was elected to her first term as state representative in November 2016 and serves on the Finance, Revenue & Bonding, Energy & Technology and Higher Education & Employment Advancement General Assembly committees, according to a news release. She is the executive director for the Southeastern CT Children's Museum and served as an East Lyme selectwoman before being elected to the General Assembly. Originally from New London, Cheeseman has lived in East Lyme for 25 years.

McKenney, who works as a supervisor at Millstone, was voted onto the Salem Board of Selectmen in 2017 after running in 2015 and also has served as chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission. The state budget was a major focus of his campaign last year, and in a statement he said he would continue the fight as representative.

"My goal is to serve you and make a positive difference in our community," he wrote. "I will work diligently to balance our state's budget, resolve the state's pension fund shortfalls, and to bring people together, as opposed to driving us apart. If elected, I pledge to be a full-time representative working for your needs."