Old Lyme — Judith (Jude) Danenhower Read has announced in a news release that she will run for the position of first selectwoman and that Chris Kerr will be her running mate for selectman in the upcoming November elections.

"....Old Lyme needs a new, effective and experienced management/leadership team to run our community with town priorities that reflect our entire community, and we are that team," Read said in a written statement.

"I am proud to be running with Jude to bring our common sense approach to the management of our town," Kerr said in a written statement. "We served together on the Board of Finance, and we know and respect each other's abilities. We are committed to a renewed financial discipline and careful planning required to ensure the town's success in delivering excellent resident services and in completing town projects on time and on budget."

In the news release, Read and Kerr, who plan to run as Republicans, said they "bring 50-plus years of small business experience, and each has a long history of public service and community service."

Read, a town resident for 33 years, said she has been involved in financial management and accounting services for more than 30 years, has served on the Board of Finance and the Board of Education, and is on the boards of MacCurdy Salisbury Education Foundation and the Old Lyme Historical Society. Both of her children went through the Lyme-Old Lyme public school system.

Kerr said he is a lifelong town resident, serving on the Board of Finance and Planning Commission. He has been active in the Old Lyme Fire Department for 34 years and oversaw the completion of the construction of the town material shed and the replacement of the town garage. He is a small business owner with experience in real estate appraisal and construction contracting.

The Republican Town Committee will make endorsements for municipal candidates in late July, according to RTC Chairman J. David Kelsey.