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Nickolas DeLucia

Norwich — A Marine veteran and sales manager for AT&T announced plans Thursday to seek the Republican Party nomination to challenge long-term incumbent state Rep. Kevin Ryan in the 139th state House District.

Republican Nick DeLucia, 33, held a campaign kickoff event Thursday evening. DeLucia has filed campaign committee papers with the state Elections Enforcement Commission and has introduced himself at Republican Town Committee meetings in Norwich and Montville thus far. The district includes Montville, Bozrah and a portion of Norwich.

Ryan, 65, is currently in his 13th two-year term in the district. Ryan also plans to seek re-election and has filed committee paperwork with the state.

“It’s time for a new generation to step forward and address the issues that have plagued southeastern Connecticut for so long,” DeLucia said in a news release announcing his candidacy. “There needs to be fiscal responsibility and accountability in Hartford. For too long, our elected officials have written checks without the revenue to cover them. We need to make Connecticut affordable to all of its citizens, and ensure that our children will not inherit a state overwhelmed with debt due to continued irresponsible spending.”

Ryan said Thursday he is concentrating on the current legislative session and will focus on the campaign once the session ends in May.

DeLucia was born and raised in Norwich and lives in the city with his wife, Maryn, and their 5-year-old daughter, Ava. His brother, Joseph DeLucia, is a Democratic alderman on the Norwich City Council.