New London — Susan Bysiewicz, the state Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate for lieutenant governor, announced here Monday that she has the support of 19 mayors and first selectmen in the 2nd Congressional District, which encompasses eastern Connecticut.

Eight of the elected officials joined Bysiewicz at a late-morning press conference hosted by Mayor Michael Passero.

Also attending were Groton City Mayor Keith Hedrick; Plainfield First Selectwoman Cathy Tendrich; Portland First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield; Montville Mayor Ron McDaniel; state Sen. and Sprague First Selectwoman Cathy Osten; Franklin First Selectman Charlie Grant; and Pomfret First Selectwoman Maureen Nicholson.

Bysiewicz, of Middletown, served six years in the state legislature and 12 years as secretary of the state, and for the past seven years has represented small businesses as an attorney.

She faces an Aug. 14 primary challenge by Eva Bermudez Zimmerman of Newtown.

“Susan's experience as a state legislator, secretary of the state and an attorney helping small businesses makes her the best candidate for the position of lieutenant governor,” Osten said. “She has a history of successfully working with leaders in eastern Connecticut on economic development, environmental, veterans, and election issues.”

"I strongly support Susan because she has the vision for how to fix our state's fiscal situation and grow good-paying jobs in our state,” Hendrick said.

The list of top elected officials in eastern Connecticut endorsing Bysiewicz also includes: Glenn Pianka of Bozrah; Norman Needleman of Essex; Christine Goupil of Clinton; Joan Lewis of Coventry; Todd Babbitt of Griswold; Patrice Granatosky of Groton Town; Bonnie Reemsnyder of Old Lyme; Ken Beausoleil of Thompson; Paul Shapiro of Mansfield; Tracey Hanson of Voluntown; and Erika Wiecenski of Willington.