Groton — John Scott, a Republican candidate for the 40th District House seat, announced on the Lee Elci Show on 94.9 FM news radio last week that his campaign has reached the necessary fundraising threshold to qualify for the state Citizens' Election Program.

Scott said he received close to $5,700 in donations from more than 160 people in Groton and Ledyard. To qualify for the Citizens' Election Program, a candidate must raise $5,100 from at least 150 residents living in the district.

"I am honored to receive so much support from the residents of Groton and Ledyard," Scott said in a news release. "Over the past two years, our current state representative has done nothing to stop the cuts to our local communities and has supported the failed policies of Dan Malloy. The residents and business owners that I am talking to are fed up with Connecticut's high taxes and continued budget deficits."

He added, “If I have the opportunity to return to Hartford, I will be committed to rolling back Malloy's failed policies and end the drastic cuts to our communities.”

In 2014, Scott upset longtime state Rep. Edward Moukawsher, winning the 40th District seat and becoming the first openly gay Republican to serve in the General Assembly. Scott held the seat from 2014 to 2016.

The seat currently is held by Rep. Christine Conley, D-Groton.