Stonington Board of Education Chairman Farouk Rajab on Tuesday accepted the Democratic nomination to run for the 18th Senate District, according to a news release.

The vote on Tuesday night at the Jewett City Fire Department was unanimous.

State Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, currently holds the seat and is seeking re-election.

“I am proud, humbled, and grateful for the opportunity to serve,” Rajab, general manager of the Providence Marriott Downtown, said in a statement. “This will not be an easy fight for Democrats, but with Roe v. Wade under attack and a Republican Party that is growing more and more extreme, anything other than success isn’t acceptable. I’m looking forward to protecting choice, growing the middle class, and making our communities more affordable.”

According to the release, Rajab's agenda is "to bring back an affordable and quality standard of living, create good-paying jobs, ensure the protection of women's rights, create college affordability, ease the tax burden on seniors, institute universal pre-K education and protect Connecticut's shorelines and open spaces."

The 18th District encompasses Groton, Stonington, North Stonington, Preston, Griswold, Voluntown, Plainfield and Sterling.