New London — Board of Education member Jason Catala on Tuesday became the fourth candidate running for the vacant 39th District state House seat in New London.

The 39th District covers about two-thirds of New London: voting Districts 1 and 2. Former state Rep. Chris Soto resigned his post to take a job as the legislative affairs director for Gov. Ned Lamont.

Catala, who is a Democrat, said he submitted 100 signatures to the city clerk's office and secured a spot on the ballot in the Feb. 26 special election. To qualify as a petitioning candidate, Catala needed to gather at least 45 signatures, or 1 percent of the number of people who voted in the last election.

City Clerk Jonathan Ayala confirmed that Catala had enough signatures and submitted them on Tuesday.

There are no primaries in a special election and Catala said he decided against seeking his party's nomination because of the early show of support from party leaders for City Councilor Anthony Nolan, a New London police officer.

Nolan was endorsed by Democrats last week. Kat Goulart is running as the Republican candidate and school board member Mirna Martinez is representing the New London Green Party in the election.

Day Staff Writer Erica Moser contributed to this report.

g.smith@theday.com