New London — Members of the Democratic Town Committee on Thursday unanimously endorsed City Councilor Anthony Nolan as a candidate for the vacant 39th House District seat.

Nolan, 51, a city police officer who is serving his fourth term on the City Council, said he was “humbled and excited,” to start campaigning. Nolan is seeking to fill the seat in the state legislature left vacant by the resignation of former Rep. Chris Soto, a Democrat.

Nolan is likely to face three candidates in a Feb. 26 special election. Kat Goulart is the Republican candidate. School board members Mirna Martinez, a Green Party member, and Jason Catala, a Democrat, both plan to run.

Nolan is a U.S. Navy veteran, an 18-year veteran of the New London Police Department, a youth program advocate and a deacon at Shiloh Baptist Church. He works nights at the police department and said his days are free to perform the duties of a legislator. He has indicated that he would resign his seat on the City Council if elected.

Some of Nolan’s top priorities include support for paid family leave and an increase in the state minimum wage. He has also pledged, in an online statement, to fight for health care, education and property tax reform while listening to the needs of constituents to find ways the state can better support their families.

The 39th District includes the city's first and second voting districts, which have about 13,323 registered voters.

g.smith@theday.com