Norwich – The Republican Town Committee caucus Wednesday unanimously endorsed Robert Dempsky for what will be his second run for the 46th District state House of Representatives seat.

Dempsky, 42, a poker dealer at the Mohegan Sun Casino since 2008, said he hopes his campaign experience and message of fiscal restraint will carry more weight in the upcoming campaign, after the contentious state budget session this spring.

Dempsky told the town committee he is hopeful that the election result last November that gave Norwich Repubicans a sweep of the City Council, Board of Education majorities and the city treasurer seat will help him this fall.

Dempsky will face either incumbent Democrat Emmett Riley or longtime Norwich Democrat Bonnie Hong in the fall election for the 46th District that covers the urban and southern portions of Norwich.

The Democratic Town Committee 46th District caucus will be held Thursday, and Hong has announced plans to challenge Riley for the party endorsement, and in a primary if she does not win the endorsement.

In 2014, Riley defeated Dempsky 2,461 to 1,657, including the 254 votes Dempsky received from the Independent Party endorsement, in the heavily Democratic district. Riley's wife, Democrat Melissa Olson, held the seat for 10 years prior to Riley's election in 2012.

The town committee also unanimously endorsed incumbent Republican Registrar Dianne Slopak for re-election this fall.