New London - Members of the New London Green Party on Sunday voted to endorse Board of Education member Mirna Martinez as its candidate for a vacant 39th District House seat.

Martinez, 46, is a mother of two and former bilingual teacher who is serving her third term as a member of the Board of Education. She served as the board's president for the past year. Martinez is seeking the seat vacated by former state representative Chris Soto, a Democrat who has taken a job as the legislative affairs director for Gov. Ned Lamont.

Martinez, in her first run for state office, is expected to face three opponents in the Feb. 26 special election.

Anthony Nolan is the Democratic candidate and Kat Goulart was endorsed by city Republicans last week. Democrat Jason Catala has formed a campaign committee and said he plans to petition for a spot on the ballot.

The 39th District encompasses the city's first and second voting districts.