In making their choice in Tuesday’s special election, New London voters decided to send to Hartford a state representative who well knows the community and its people.

As a police officer, Anthony Nolan has patrolled its streets. He has seen New London’s seamier side, the struggles of its poorer neighborhoods but also the resiliency of its people.

At age 51, as a volunteer active in youth activities, Nolan is better aware than most of his generational peers of the aspirations and struggles of the city's young people.

As a four-term member of the City Council, Nolan has heard the concerns of the people of New London as they strive to improve their city, confront its heavy property tax burden and debate policy priorities.

He is, then, well equipped to represent.

This newspaper endorsed a different candidate in the race to fill a vacancy in the 39th District, which sends to the House of Representatives a leader from its working-class first and second districts. It was not because the board found Nolan or the other candidates in the race unworthy of the job, but because we concluded our endorsed candidate had a greater grasp of the complex issues that will confront the legislature and a policy approach that largely aligned with our won.

In his acceptance speech, Nolan referenced “all the drama and negativity they put out there.” Any good campaign will have its drama. As for negativity, not so much. The criticisms Nolan faced were largely well within the bounds of the political debate that one should expect in an election. As the Democratic frontrunner in this Democratic city, Nolan should have known he would take some heat.

He should learn from the experience.

One criticism often heard was that as a councilor there were times he could have been better prepared. Nolan now has the opportunity to demonstrate his preparedness as he gets up to speed on the fiscal, educational and economic challenges that confront our state and the policy debates surrounding them.

Continuing his police job at the same time will be a challenge, but Nolan made the right decision resigning from the council. He will benefit from the help and advice of the man he replaces, Chris Soto, now legislative affairs director for Gov. Ned Lamont.

Congratulations and good luck, Mr. Nolan.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.