Norwich — Republican candidate Robert Bell received unanimous support Tuesday night to run for the 46th state House District that covers the southern and urban sections of Norwich.

Because the 46th is a single-town district, the political party town committees do district candidate endorsements.

Bell, 48, a Navy veteran and owner of the Bell Logistics LLC property management firm, unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Democrat Emmett Riley in 2020. Riley announced in April he will not seek reelection after completing his fifth term.

Bell said with the state now having a multibillion-dollar surplus, it’s time to return some of that money to taxpayers and figure out ways to reduce taxes.

“Connecticut is extremely unaffordable, and this is our best opportunity to get our taxes under control and make Connecticut more affordable again,” he said.

Bell also said he would advocate for “parents’ choice over their own child’s health,” opposing vaccine and mask mandates.