Former state Rep. Jonathan Pelto announced Tuesday that he will run for Connecticut's 2nd Congressional District as a member of the Green Party.

In a statement, Pelto said he is running "because this year's election is so critical for sustaining the future of our democracy."

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat, represents the 2nd District. He is seeking re-election.

"I'm not running against Joe Courtney, whose performance in Congress has been extremely admirable, but to ensure that a variety of key issues are raised in this political campaign cycle. Uncontested and under-contested elections reinforce apathy, and this year, perhaps more than any other in recent memory, we need every voter to understand what is at stake and participate by voting," Pelto said in the statement.

The former state representative from Mansfield was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1984, and served five terms. Pelto was the political director of the state Democratic Party in the 1980s. In 2014, he unsuccessfully petitioned to be a gubernatorial candidate.

"I will use this campaign to articulate an agenda that stops the privatization of public education and deals with the student debt crisis. Other critical issues include creating a more open and honest government, effective legislation that stops the wealthy from buying political decisions and laws that support, rather than undercut, renewable energy so that we can reduce the devastating effects of climate change. We must also work to convert our defense industry to develop products for commercial markets," he said.

New London Board of Education member Mirna Martínez conveyed her support for Pelto in a statement.

"His willingness to stand up and speak out on the important issues we face will make him an outstanding candidate. We are looking forward to having him heading our Green Party slate in eastern Connecticut," Martínez said.

Pelto is the founder and coordinator of the Education Bloggers Network, a confederation of more than 240 pro-public education bloggers around the country.

The Green Party's nominating convention will be held on July 30 at Mansfield Public Library's Buchanan Auditorium.

Daria Novak, a conservative radio talk show host, is the Republican candidate for the race.