A group of more than two dozen officials and grass-roots Republican leaders this week endorsed Mark Boughton for governor, Boughton's campaign announced Tuesday.

In southeastern Connecticut, the local officials and leaders include: East Lyme First Selectman Mark Nickerson; former New London Mayor Rob Pero; East Lyme Deputy First Selectman Kevin Seery; Montville Town Council Vice Chairman Wills Pike; Montville Town Councilman Jeff Rogers; Gerri Lewis, Republican State Central Committee member for the 20th District (Bozrah, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem, Waterford) and Old Saybrook Women's Club president; Montville Republican Town Committee Chairman Thomas McNally, New London Republican Town Committee Chairman Shannon Brenek and Salem Selectman and Republican Town Committee Chairman Ed Chmielewski.

“Republicans from all across Connecticut have been receptive to my message of the need for proven, effective leadership and electability. I am honored by the ever-growing support for the Connecticut comeback,” Boughton said in a statement.