Preston – Democrat and 27-year town resident Vincent Eleazer plans to seek the Democratic Town Committee nomination to run for first selectman.

Incumbent Republican Robert Congdon said he will announce in early July whether he will seek a 10th term.

Eleazer, 47, of 20 Ricky Lane, a member of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, said he has experience working on economic development with retail projects at the Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Eleazer said Preston should be able to benefit commercially from the traffic heading to the nearby Foxwoods Resort Casino.

“I think Preston has an opportunity to seize a lot of those license plates coming through town,” Eleazer said.

Eleazer said five of his six children, ranging in age from 7 to 24, went through the local school system. He has been active in youth sports, recently as coach of a Preston Baseball League team.

Eleazer informed Congdon of his plan to seek the Democratic nomination Thursday.

“I respect Mr. Congdon, and we both have a great love for Preston,” Eleazer said. “I just believe we have two different ways of administering and navigating.”

c.bessette@theday.com