Dan Kelley of Pawcatuck, one of the candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to run for the 18th District state Senate seat now held by Republican Heather Somers, has announced that he has surpassed the fundraising total he needed to obtain a public campaign financing grant from the state.

To qualify, Kelley needed to raise $15,300 in donations no larger than $250 each and a minimum of 300 donations had to come from within the Senate district. The grant total for major party state Senate candidates with full opposition is $85,000.

“Our campaign's ability to qualify this early clearly shows the (grass-roots) support and energy that Democrats have in this district,” Kelley said in statement announcing the grant. “Our fundraising was successful because the message of our campaign is clear. We want to ensure that our children are provided the best education possible, that our young people have great job opportunities right here at home, and that our seniors are able to retire with dignity. While these are ideals that I’m sure we all agree with, they are not a reality because we do not have the best team in Hartford to deliver the results.”

Kelley is being challenged for the nomination by Democrat Bob Stachen of Stonington. The convention to choose the Democratic candidate is scheduled for May 20.